I see human skulls
in the leaf formations
on the trees
outside my bedroom window
dangling craniums
stark against the setting sun
must be all this grief
that I have been experiencing
my own, and everyone’s
we try our best to keep it in check
these losses that pile up
personal set backs
planetary horrors
the global warnings
that we are becoming undone
there must be a silver lining
which we can grasp onto
some wise people
direct us to the moment
if not silver, then maybe gold
if not gold, then maybe oxygen
hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen
the elements of life
the persistent material
that is, after all, spiritual
but I feel too shitty
to embrace
a cosmic solution
for our collective pain
at least
not in this moment
let me cry instead
Deborah Golden Alecson
September 14, 2014