so much
unforgiving reticence
forcefully thrusting
this churning world
into our yearning lives
chastening our empty laps
how much
yielding forgiveness
lovingly trusting
this changing world
helping us learn
coercing us to rearrange
our hungry thirsty lives
yet all these minor burning gaps
creating untold rifts
between what is shiftless truth
and what are giftless lies
still major faults exist
how much
is too much
before we finally realize
this very real earth
is speaking to us
imploring humankind
to see past every cryptic guise
that cheats the earth
of what good it deserves
so if we would only mind
recognize every critical link
remind ourselves
how much
is too much
before this wanting old earth
sinks
folding in upon ourselves
retaining nothing
but barren shelves
collapses
finally going
deaf and blind

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