the earth stretches as far as you can see.

it's changing. always has been.

you learn and learn.

you have witnessed emotions

and the in-between.

winter hasn't been the same

for a long while,

the biting air that eats all life

as it blows over the horizon

and the crunch of the snow.

there is heat in the winter now,

in the hot sun of January.

grandmother earth whispered to you,

in the wrong warmth

of the temperate breeze.

the passage of time is your grandmother.

the passage of time is you.

this will become the comfort

in hopes of better days ahead.

but now, you find yourself hollow.

what are you meant to do?

knowing the wars of the world outside rage on,

you want to keep fighting

but you're exhausted.

knowing that you cannot afford to be.

knowing you have no right to be.

to heal, you must go to her.

once filled with wonder

a hopeful shine for what's to come

full of life and light

light

sweet vanilla

warm and kind

a scent that brings comfort

the feeling of a warm summer day

clear skies and white clover

sweet scents are abundant

even the scent of wet dirt smells sweet

under her gaze

forever a reminder of more peaceful times

slowly the hope fades

now filled with sorrow and regret

wishing

longing to be loved and cared for

as she did for others

longing to be loved and cared for

as she did for you

you must go to her.

on foot, running.

all that matters is you get there.

to the middle of the scenery of your choosing,

sit down.

feel the ground beneath you.

your grandmother, your first teacher.

her hair

long and pridefully displayed

proof of her resilience and strength

meticulously braided

smooth and silk

where flowers bloomed

carefully arranged

fields of lilies

calling for a sweet embrace

to be adored

to be respected

to be loved

you must go to her.

you're her child, you are in her image.

strong, resilient, powerful.

repeat to yourself:

You are loved.

You are cared for.

grandmother earth loves you.

lay with her.

allow yourself to feel held by her.

slowly but surely, she gives to you

the will to continue.

she is your grandmother,

she is my grandmother.

she is your first teacher,

she is my first teacher.

grandmother earth loves you.

grandmother earth loves me.

now she is fragile and fading

falling

knots replace the plaits

once pridefully displayed

shards of glass now take the place

of the lily

change

her presence fades

as the sickness swallows her

leaving behind only memories

regret

where flowers once bloomed

now puddles of rust

no amount of shame

can make up for the loss

no amount of mourning

can make her come back

too little and far too late

But still, you must go to her.

on foot, running.

all that matters is you get there.

to the middle of the scenery of your choosing,

sit down.

feel the ground beneath you.

your grandmother,

my grandmother,

your first teacher.

my first teacher.

repeat to yourself:

You are loved.

i am loved.

You are cared for.

I am cared for.

grandmother earth loves you.

grandmother earth loves me.

lay with her.

allow yourself to feel held by her.

you're her child,

I am her child,

you're in her image.

I am in her image.

strong,

resilient,

powerful.

slowly but surely, she gives to you

the will to continue.

you might start crying,

but not to worry,

it's a sign of strength and courage.

you must promise to give back all she gave,

caring for her and for your people.

those you stand in solidarity with.

as you lay to sleep,

remember not only the gift of perseverance,

but to care for yourself.

you are the cause.

you are forever a burning candle.

you sit with your hands in your lap.

palms facing the sky,

asking for prayers every second,

day to day.

to be serenaded by songbirds at sunrise

propels your existence further.

when the trees are illuminated

and shrouded in a golden veil,

the evening sun peeking over the mountains,

you are eternal.

when you sip at the sweet drink of sunshine,

unable to breathe fast enough

to keep up with your bleeding heart,

you are eternal.

when you lay in the flowers in the meadows,

in hopes the pollen will paint you

the color of the sky.

this is heaven sent,

as are you.

the passage of time is your grandmother.

the passage of time is you.

this will become the comfort

in hopes of better days ahead.