I too am like the earth
Swelling with abundant girth
Benevolent with all my powers
Giving berth to trees and flowers
Congenial when mood shall strike
Do as I please with what I like
Hospitable to verve and life
Yet humour poised on edge of knife
Twisting in a state of pique
I swipe at both the bold and meek
Though angrily I gripe with storms
Afford I will with havens warm
Return with ease to peaceful air
So all might feel safe in my care
But do not take goodwill for granted
Raze like a vandal seeds I’ve planted
Pollute my waters, foul my lands
Make such impossible demands
And what will be your just rewards
Is wrath like pointy red-hot swords
I will take back all that was given
Ruin what you need for living -
With every day that passes thusly
Choices made, if made too brusquely
The hourglass of sand does run
The midnight hour indeed will come
The earth is patient, can be kind
Assume so, though, she bides her time
And I, like her, shall brook no gall
And clock that marks, ticks for us all…