THIS TIME
 
All    you  have
   to do   is   read   hear
         dried    crackling    grasses
      now    before
        they burst
 into   golden    merciless
                flames
 
Then  gather   your box
   of important papers     pets 
          devices and     head     for open
 space    before    trees
     buildings    crash down  and around
                  you   thinking   this is
 
        a movie   really   a drama
                a dream   but   it’s
 
life   now     your    life
on this   flooded   burning   planet
 
so many   crowded together     flaming  
                                 floating loose     inside
   
from anger   greed   and pride   and this
            time       we          will
                  not         escape
                      suddenly   
 
       this time    we must    hear each    other
                                or   die         
 
Claire Blotter, 2019
California Fire and Water, A Climate Crisis Anthology