Photography © Glenn Bowie

 

Regifted

We threw gold into the ocean
silver into the river
placed diamonds in the dirt
sealed the mine
back to Mother Earth
we delivered
gave her back everything we stole
everything we had taken from her
tore up the railroad tracks
where every spike made a hole
we filled those wounds
with top soil
black earth

We couldn’t give back her oil
we had burned it all
in a blatant fury
we threw jewels at the moon
melted down the golden calf
lamented how beautiful she once was
we’d seen her story
in all her glory
in the photographs

It was far too little
far too late
when destiny
rules our fate
revealing it’s pagan story
the tides have shifted
the veil has been lifted
destiny
has been married off
to fate

We planted trees
dropped to our knees
asked Mother Earth
to be the forgiver
to please
be the forgiver,
we threw gold into the ocean
silver into the river
placed diamonds in the dirt
sealed the mine
gave it all back
to Mother Earth
we delivered

Still she turned on us
day after day
no matter what we did
she turned on us
it was always
the sun
only the golden sun
she circled in a daze
that would be the one
to shine

 

Glenn Bowie is a published poet, lyricist and photographer from the Boston area. He also owns and operates an elevator company that supplies custom-built elevators for clients from New England to Hollywood. Author of two poetry and photograph collections (Under the Weight of Whispers and Into the Thorns and Honey) on Big Table Publishing, he donates all profits from his books to various charities for the homeless and local animal shelters.