Rainforest

I am the one who dances all night long.
         The forest sings a soft song of leaves and wind.
         The Night Creatures lift their voices in harmony.

I am the one who runs from the humans.
         The crunching, munching machines attack.
         The song is cut short in our haste to escape.

I am the one who can’t sleep at night.
         The cries of the forest tug at my heart.
         The smoke from burning trees stings my eyes.

I am the one who cries on charred soil.
         The black ash crumbles in my hands.
         The grief for my forest overwhelms me.

I am the one who hopes for our future.
         The ash gives way to the rich soil.
         The life of the forest survives: a tiny seed of green.