By Rubana Islam
I am
blazing
smoking
choking
Now do you feel the heat?
I sent you a message
in the howling of the wind
Listen, please?
It pained me when you seared
through my mantle
emptied me to my core
To fuel your desires
Hoard more than ever could fit
in that abode of yours
I gasped for breath as the plastic bags wrapped
around my head
For mercy I begged.
Unabashed you
took up a million candles
colored the sky bright
dazzling
crackling
celebrating
a new dawn, as I writhed.
Your mirth in the night jeered
through my veins
Gave birth of a wrath
uncontrolled, beyond your restraint and mine.
Now I burn, ruthless
through forests and homes
ravaging
savaging
scourging
Reckless you, and your haughtiness
But my koalas and kangaroos
pay the price.
Pitiless and cruel you may
imagine me
All I really wanted was for you to care
to love me in my skin.
What will it take for you to stop
looting and corrupting
my being?
I am
blazing
smoking
choking
Now will you listen? Now do you feel?