Cracks - Maya Spector

[Larry Robinson]

Cracks

There are cracks 
everywhere, 
everywhere.
In our culture,
the cracks 
keep coming.
It is difficult
not to step 
on them, but
we no longer 
believe that
our mothers’ backs 
will break.
It is true, though,
that strip mines 
and fracking cracks 
do break 
our Mother’s back,
in addition to cracks 
in the ozone layer, cracks 
in the polar ice, cracks 
in trees burnt black 
by summer wildfires.
Our Mother is strong,
but broken backs
are hard and long
to mend, especially
when more cracks
keep coming,
including the ones
in our broken hearts.
Yes, 
our so-called culture 
creates cracks.
One might say
that it is not all
it is cracked up
to be.
Let us hope
a new way
cracks open
for us all.

	- Maya Spector