Earth died tomorrow
layered under crushing weight of cast-offs
hunched to relentless blows of axes
entrails purged to the ripping and pounding
it withers like the shrivelled aged
whose once-glowing bark is now grey and sullen in death
Its breath scalded, heated up by the inferno of geniuses
It wept a tornado from its deepest anguish
For the beauty in her ruins
For the colors of sunset reflected
on fouled waters transformed into murky graves
for the shattered remains of a petrified forest
And fierce winds that gather broken pieces,
To hurl them into the sky
and paint it an ancient tapestry
decorating the lone dove singing out an ode
its last tribute
to an earth that died tomorrow
This poem first appeared in Virginia Poets Database.
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Gloria Ogo is a Nigerian author, whose numerous works of poetry and prose are widely read and internationally acclaimed. With over eight published works, including her novel While Men Slept, she identifies as a writer of conscience and has written articles featured in Opinion Nigeria and Daily Trust. Gloria is a tutor at Old Dominion University, where she is currently pursuing her studies in Creative Writing. glriaogo.wixsite.com/gloria-ogo
