Things to do if You’re the Earth
Swoop in circles
around the sun.
Spin.
Go on and on,
and on,
and on.
Wear layers.
Carry water.
Don’t laugh when we run.
Don’t cry when we dig.
Give us a home.
Keep our history
under your skin.
Shiver and explode.
Remind us
you exist.
When you are sick
and feverish,
forgive us.
Hold us
close.
© Elizabeth Steinglass, 2014, all rights reserved
This one brought tears to my eyes, Liz.
Thanks, Michelle.
Wonderful, Liz! This one needs to find a home in the publishing world. (If you want comments, I’d be glad to share a few….and thank you for all the comments I found in my email this morning!)
Thanks, Buffy. I always appreciate feedback. I’ve enjoyed my daily writing challenge this month but I’ve also missed the time for reflection, critique, and revision!
Okay–here are a few things that occurred to me in the for-what-it’s-worth department. I wonder if the poem would be stronger if it were a bit shorter. You might omit the negative lines (Don’t laugh/don’t cry)…and focus on what the Earth does. I’m not sure if kids would get “Wear layers” (I assume you mean crust/mantle/core? That one gave me pause–maybe instead, something like: Grow mountains.)
The last two sentences of this gave me the chills…really terrific.
<3 <3 !!
*swoon!*