In the Moaning of Moon

Stealthily, CO2 level rises everyday,

so does the greenhouse effect, and more.

Earth, like elderly woman pants.

sweats, feverish.

Trees breathe in CO2, as the girl coughs.
She watches the moon, worrying
for her dog suffering from skin dieses;

She wants to know why the dog's 
condition worsens despite all the care.

You must use sun-block lotion, she says
to her pet. The moon moans. The girl and
the dog don't know why the moon is sad,
but the Earth knows;
she shivers in fear of what would happen
if more forests disappear;
if factories emit more CO2,
as if the leaves of our senses are falling
in the wind. Moon kisses on the trees,
the leaves that wouldn't fall, lest CO2 level
creeps up when they are gone; Haning on
to the trees till the next spring;
till the new leaves appear; new vigor.

©Byung A. Fallgren