BOTANICA
8.22.19
November 8, 2013
super typhoon Yolanda was the strongest storm
to ever make landfall in the recorded history of the world
6,340 people died that day.
their homeland
a country of islands drowning in US oceans
in US lands – politicians label climate change a myth
they deny the dead’s existence
as if natural disasters only count when there are white bodies to bury
each year, an average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines
Stephanie tells me “God is punishing us. How else can you explain this?”
and what can i say
to a woman, born from ocean who fears the sea
the wrong amazon is burning
the wrong ice is melting
black and blue
we’ve made the world one giant bruise
she’s been here long before you
and she will continue to be here, without you
if you do not start giving a shit
she will soon stop giving a shit about you.
how can you call her mother anything
did no one ever tell you about the cracks on the sidewalk?
the erosion on poison youre creating
soon there’ll be nothing but cracks for you to step on
i bet you didn’t know
something so round
could have a spine
that could break
bending over backwards to fit you
feed you
drinking from the tit too long she’s run dry
how are people not mourning?