earth note 622

1.

waking up early

and walking at full speed
toward sunrise
the tops of the trees tremble
the orange rust color near the tops
looking like the start
of a ritual
i swear i hear chanting on the ridge

2.

nothing can replace

the orange robes
of a thousand years
too much suffering
to be ignored
the chanting grows
above the traffic

3.

tax dodgers prepare their excuses

separated only by plastic oceans
elites fly first class incognito
their suits threaded
in triangle shirt factory fire sweatshops

4.

when sunrise finally breaks

all becomes familiar
the trees sway and rustle
like they've been
watching all along
the chanting fades into another day
morning shadows make their claim
in the here and now

--- e b bortz