a short free-write poem of the Renewing Period, "Mother Nature's Return"

As the smoke and smog covering the atmosphere began to clear

the animals of the earth came out of their holes,

the birds sang and flew

to see the healthy temperatures return anew,

to see Mother Nature's return to her rightful place.

Long dead buildings and towns covered in trees

and vines and grass and pure life

covering every window and crevice

to reclaim what the planet's inhabitants left behind,

to rejoice with Mother Nature's return.

Over ninety years of silence, of cold, of darkness

Almost fifty years of scorching heat, of brightness.

Nearly 150 years of suffering of both extremes

and now the flora and fauna rejoice and sing and explore

as Mother Nature returns to her home.

Oceans risen, sea life flourishing, changing, adapting.

Trees grown to heights unknown, bright green and blossoming.

Animals adapted and spreading, exploring, living.

Insects of old and new buzzing, and zipping, and thriving.

And Mother Nature looks down with joy at the planet's healthy return.

And she prepares.

She readies, and waits

for her final children, those of Humanity

to surface from their holes underground

to rejoice in Mother Nature's return.