Memorial for the Future: Climate Chronograph

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I stoppedtaking down growth data19 days ago.I couldn't findmy keys. Couldn't rememberwhere I putmy umbrella. Forgotto wash my hair.It wasn't until a wrenflew by with foodfor new mouthsthat I realizedthe problemwasn't springtaking too long.

I pull the smallestfrom the soil, rootslifting easily. This peaone of the first seedsI planted this year.52 days ago.Under ideal circumstances,peas can reachalmost six feet

52 days after breaking through.It should be floweringand preparing to fruit.The tiny seedling, barelysix inches tall, is so stiffI can scarcely bendthe stem. Tingedwith bile, tiny brown spots creepup dry and crisp leaves.Fusarium wilt, productof poor drainageand flooding.The fungus invadesthe vascular system;it can no longertake up water.

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A grove of cherry treeswill be planted in rowson a graded field,close to the water.As sea levels rise, salinityin the soil will killthe trees, row by row,moving up slope foot by footuntil they all wither.

I hope to have a daughterto take there, someday. Dress herfor a picnic in the Capitol,tie her curls up in bows.Wet the soles of our shoesas we toe the line where cherryblossoms once thrived. Uphill,we will find few remain.