What does it mean to be counterproductive
when the house is on fire
the sky really is falling
the fish are fleeing the sea?
What does it mean to go too far
when ice no longer holds its breath
the bears beg amnesty of the bees
the trees are in need of counseling?
What does it mean to say sorry
when the damage is done
the fix is in
the chips are down
the good old days are a souvenir t-shirt?
Water continues to run down hill
children to be born
men to lust after women
women to dream of love
all the gods to be silent.
The birds argue the virtues of singing
while axes gnaw at the trees.
Even knowing we are more ocean than beach
we keep on building on the sand.
The wind argues the virtues of violence
with the clouds as the sky
fades from blue to black behind our backs.
The campfires of those we left behind
when we stepped through the hole in the sky
sparkle over our heads.