JayJay

Oh Earth, in your embrace we thrive,
Your soil, your sky, keep us alive.
You gift us trees and rivers wide,
With oceans deep and mountains high.

Our eyes set upon wealth—

We count our dollar bills;

our materialistic skills. 

We avert our eyes from health, 

“Aging” backwards, 

We'll march with cardboard signs

rainbow letters pretend

that we're happier than we are 

because we understand

the depth of this hole we've dug ourselves

into

the fire we've fed 

I hold my prefrontal cortex with the shame of

sinking, water lilies seeping from my lips into the grey-green

marsh I call (uselessly) 

home.

My mind hisses with the strain of too many canned-up voices

saying

Half winter, half spring. 
It's like the seasons were cut in half 
Severed at its ends 
Last year, winter 
was freezing cold. 
Like how it 
should be. 
This year, it's 

Happiness is a cup of tea

Steeped to bitter perfection
 

It is humming along to a favorite melody

Slightly off key (as usual)

Happiness is a sad smile

Shared with an old friend