Earthquake

Do you know what it is

to be torn in two?

Me, no,

but I watched it happen to you

So many scars on your body

flowing rivers, forming foreign rifts

Yes, you were torn in two

Witnessing your own drift

Who deserves that?

Who decides?

God, or Mother Earth, decreeing that you should die?

To dust we shall return,

but you were not content

You raged, and tore,

you earthquaked as you went.

If you could stretch your body,

be ripped apart and filled with streams

If you could brave

the deepening drifts’ ceaseless screams

Then I can look at the valleys

and the canyons remaining, still and silent

and witness the rivers filling in

rich, blue green, and vibrant

One day, I’ll cross those rivers

to meet you in your new land

Yes, I’ll be torn, too

but you will hold my hand.