How Long Can This Go On?
By Don Iannone

The Earth hurts for love.
Her gut wrenches
with every new car,
every new house,
every new inch of pavement
we cover her with.
It's too much, she says,
to bear it all,
and not expect
at least some tears.

The Earth begs for release
from the burden
of carrying too much
too long
that is not of her making.
Her face is ashen
and filled with sadness.
Is it any wonder
the earth quakes,
the seas surge,
and the skies are falling
her desperate tears?