Giving Thanks to Mother Earth

There’s only one wayto be born, but infinite waysto open death’s door.Regardless of our race,when we speak of Mother Earth,we recognize the shadows of our mothersand fathers in our own souls.Mother Earth gives us lifeand lets our children multiplyin her eternal cradle.Mother Earth gives us languageand lets our poems be heardthroughout this ancient but young world.Lying on Mother Earth’s chestwe gaze up at the resplendent sky of stars,and our feelings fly far with the autumn wind.Mother Earth, I don’t know why,but in these moments my heartfills with an unease it’s never felt before.We ask things from you throughout our livesbut our offerings are insufficient.I think of the salt ponds left when the tides recede,where winter jujube trees grow defiantlyeven though the earth is so barren,but their fruits break the twigs with their weight.This is grateful reciprocation for Mother Earth’s nurturing.People, when you walk beside these treesraise your hands up in deepest respect for them.