Emily-Sue Sloane

the work to be done 

so many things to save 

the planet 
the Republic 
plant life   animal life 
all lives threatened by a virus 

the sun   the moon   the stars 
bear witness to dreams 
left simmering on the stove 
too long ago to be remembered 
but not quite forgotten 
in the rushing river of distraction 
deflection and insurrection 

charred remains of promises 
tossed out the back door 
where smoke dissipates 
along with the intention 
to map an escape route ...

[link to full poem]

—Emily-Sue Sloane, excerpt from "the work to be done," published in Mobius: The Journal of Social Change (Winter 2021, volume 32, number 4)