We had forgotten

  the sound of thunder,

  the feel of cold rain.

  Our landscape—

  scorched by sun’s

  constant heat,

  birthed wild fires.

  Now, we sit

  in ashes.

  Vultures,

  with singed wings,

  circle overhead.

  After so much loss

  we refuse to be carrion,

  We stand—

  We walk—

  toward a future

  that only our hope

  can reveal.