mother

Cassandra Higgins

be kind to our mother 
who provides the crops,
the sweet rains,
the lush forests,
the lungfuls of air
that once was cleaner 
before processions of pollution 
pervaded the skies 
and permeated the waters.
we can do better. 
be kind to our mother 
who now cries tears of acid,
coughs second-hand smoke.
our mother, 
her ground, her food, 
her havens, her waters, 
her breath,
she gifts it all to us, 
yet we give into greed
taking more than she can give 
and we soil it.
respect goes both ways.
we can do better.
be kind to our mother 
so her harvest can replenish,
so there is still a mother to love
and provide for us;
we owe it to her.

The Science

This poem is inspired by the content taught in an honours class at the University of Arizona titled ‘Our Human Footprint’ where pollution was an environmental issue discussed. Pollution affects food, water, and air, and therefore many other things by association. While the Earth can replenish itself, humans must ensure that they are not taking/soiling more than the Earth can replenish by the time it will be needed again. 

The Poet

Cassandra Higgins is a 20-year-old psychology major at the University of Arizona. Poetry is her main passion outside of her career in psychology, and she also has an interest in environmental issues. 

Next poem: Overgrazed by Anthea Lacchia