generation

This poem was written by rachel atakpa, an artist and educator in the great plains.

in your lifetime you will unlearn seasons

perhaps after a summer 

sludging through coagulated rain 

that comes with iron atmosphere

or when dandelions forget when to open

and lie dormant sunshine

learn to remember 

rivers’ resonant cicada song

that bird eyes see flight paths home

in electromagnetic fields sinuous and underground

always is a radiating core

innumerable sand and tree ring deep, precious