Laura Davis: Signs on Leaves

Signs on Leaves
The Aeneid 3 519-521

Her visions are clear when she wants to see
still tapestry scenes of all human fates.
She captures her wisdom as signs on leaves.

The vanishing insects – not just the bees,
collateral in Big Farma’s arms race.
The data is stark, we just have to see.

From cash crops that fail to deserts of wheat,
the market, not land or climate, dictates
we ignore the wisdom of signs on leaves.

The soil is worn out, it needs worms that feed
on organic waste, not toxic phosphates.
The options are clear when we dare to see.

We can feed the hungry, cheaply and well
and root out the greed we’ve let germinate
by learning from wisdom from signs on leaves.

The Sibyl is gone. In Anthropocene
we know we must act, it can’t be too late.
The visions are clear when we want to see
the wisdom that’s captured as signs on leaves.