paying my respects to mother nature
Worthington glacier, Alaska - photo by authour©
One of Four
nothing withstands my infinite strength and patience as I sculpt the earth and like a two-faced god leave in my wake both life and death
I am one of Four
and more than half of you
is me
lest you forget
I am Water
Hurricane wreckage, Galveston, Texas (1900) - public domain
Two of Four
I grind down mountains churn the sands and waters I’ll soothe you on a hot summer’s day then blow your little house down like no wolf before and you’ll only see me in the wreckage when I’m gone
I am two of Four
and every breath you take
is me
lest you forget
I am Air
Forest fire - US Dept. of Agriculture - public domain
Three of Four
you thought you mastered me and crawled from your holes and caves calling yourself humanity and I laugh because I still rule unfettered high above and deep below
I am three of Four
and too much or too little of me
means death for you
lest you forget
I am Fire
Vatnajökull National Park - Iceland - photo by author©
Four of Four
since the beginning I’ve been shaped by Three and now by you with your ploughs and saws and spades and though you are nothing to me but a passing quirk I am the only home you have
I am four of Four
and only by my grace
do you get to live
lest you forget
I am Earth