Sorry, Mother

Oh, Mother, I’m so sorry;
Our actions have been wrong,
Taking mindless advantage
Of your patience for so long.

I grew up in your mountains
In a northern temperate zone
I thought that you would never change
If we left well enough alone.

The summers were warm but not too hot
We’d cool in your gentle streams
And winter cold was welcome
When snow fulfilled our dreams.

But now, I see you’re hurting
And I’m frightened by your pain.
Your tears fall down in deluge,
Flooding rivers with your rain.

You can’t control your hot flash.
You burst into lawless flame.
In places where your skin’s so dry,
Your droughts are gaining fame.

Your gasps of pain and anger
Become winds of such great force
Your breath sweeps everything away
That stands in its wide course.

Oh, Mother, we keep hurting you
And your water, air, and land.
But we cannot change our habits.
I hope you understand.