I'm standing high atop my ridge
Staring in dismay at the charcoal burnt earth
That stretches across my vision
Like a scar upon my heart
And a reminder of the ruthlessness and ravages
Of the monster that raged through my land
Like a pain searing my heart was the rape of this earth 
The fire that reduced it to wraith like swirls of ash

I turn my eyes to the sky above
And I hold my arms up in a beseeching manner

"I call upon you ... spirit of the sky ....
To work your magic on this devastated ground below you
To remove the choking ash so new things may grow
To join your tears with mine as my aching heart cries!"

As tears course down my dusty cheeks 
Fat rain drops began to seep
From rain clouds gathering above my head
And soon a torrent of water swirls around my feet

Green shoots begin to appear
Where before there was only black earth and tree stumps
And I know my prayers have been answered
I sing out a chorus of thanks 
To the spirit in the sky .... my brother 
My love for him bursts into a plethora of blooms
Which spreads across the land in many brilliant colors
Birds return and I can hear their high-spirited calls
As tranquility returns to my reborn valley
I settle down in peace once more
I am Mother Earth, the guardian of all the land
The minder of all living things
The lover of all at hand

©Janine Daniel