the earth is empty of rain
it has given up its bowels
exposed them
mud grey
it doesn't starve
it lies like a wet mouth
open
as if run over by a train
not parched
but out of habit
it is a lie
this harvest
fertility
green
the sapling
all make-believe
stories for children
to soothe
fill the emptiness
they will soon begin to grow into,
yawn
when they come face to face
hollow-eyed
in the mirror of life.
