Two roads diverged, turned to ten
The hills flattened into them
The nests and dens molded over, erased
Where do we go now, plead our case?
A million birds turned to two
The skies darkened to an unnatural hue
The trees no longer left to hold
The soil, the carbon, feeding life below.
Two people turned to billions
Two of us turned to heaven
With three more little faces pointed up
What do we tell them with an empty cup?
A hundred minds put to one cause
Could turn to thousands standing tall
Believing in community, the human race
Caring enough to quicken the pace.
Are we smart enough to look around
At the beauty and ingenuity easily found
Appreciating all that’s already here
We’ll do all we can until our end is near
Won’t we?
—
Kathryn Berti is a researcher, educator, and science director working to educate youth and the public about environmental issues such as flooding and climate change. She strongly believes in the value of integrating science and art. She is mom to three young kids and an avid hiker.
