The Earth speaks

to the child she befriends

the boy who adores her

who speaks his first words

surrounded by her beauty

earth gives endlessly to the child

everyday reaching him with hope

through sunlight and a breeze

giving him what he needs to succeed

the others earth has given to

hurt the child

as they do not give as earth does

he returns to the peace

he finds within nature

as tears tickle his face

he’s eighteen now

remembering all he wasted

somber as he recalls the way

he betrayed a world

that had given all he needed

yet the earth still forgives

comforting him with its flowers

strengthening him with its air

the boy tries to live better

realizing the earth is his true home

its inhabitants are his family

he begins to give to them

as the earth gave to him

as he grows older

he watches friends die

dreams fade away

he screams at the world around him

“ why did you betray me”

earth seems silent now

yet a peace overcomes the man

that he left his mark on earth

as his body leaves earth

the earth pours light down

reminding him

that just as aspects of earth

fade away over time

humans must fade away

although just as earth remains

all the man touched will remain forever

his impact will live on in the souls

of all he encountered

the earth would give to those younger

and in doing so

the spirit of the man

would live on forever

he is now one with earth

buried in her arms

next to those he loves

his body couldn’t live

but his home always will

so his spirit will too