Making of a Nature Steward

It was late summer—

dry winds blowing.

Chaparral shrubs caught fire,

flames billowing,

smoke filling the valley,

the sky turning perilous.

Not ideal weather to explore,

yet staying home

felt like closing eyes to danger.

So, I took my daughter

for a short neighborhood stroll.

She asked,

“Why did you bring?”

The air feels smoky."

I said, "you are a kid

of climate emergency era,

danger is right at neck level,

know this:

humans have played foul.

they will die.

You still have life ahead.

You must be wise,

be nature steward.

We don’t understand a problem

until we see it.

So, witness the world burning,

innocent creatures perishing.

Mind your actions.

Prevent the apocalypse."