on World Environment Day

on the day
World Environment Day
we may think of Earth
on our
reliance on the ground
even that which is
the solid planet
beneath
water and ice
and through and over air as well

and shall we keep it
Earth
sure

we are so used to it the firmness or
even the firmament by
Bibles

we step around the bad parts
don’t you know

the parts
that nature made

as can with
the bad parts made by us
if once
perhaps
by mistake and now
without doubt
by
will

and shall we leave our steps
reliant
the things we walk or ride on
too

the Earth whose sureness is in trouble

that splits
and lava-
magma-bleeds
and is
a hotter place than
ever
via human extractions
formulation

and how much do we believe in bunkers
really
that should protect us even
as the planet ‘round them
fails

there is no such protection and for now
nowhere else to go
except in orbit
maybe
where most of us will never go
and
can’t sustain itself for life
in body or
in spirit

meaning we give up on Earth
then
we are done

and other planets
other sentient species will
have to take
over
means for
foundation and if by
a change

benevolent inventing
and
no other
world kind

and yet
if we may style and make a world
and then a salutation
well
go
Earth
only and as
to cheer

for all
the elements that make
and keep
a world
made and kept anew

honestly and thoroughly
by us

c l couch


image by USGS at Unsplash