We search for
wide tall trees,
but we only find
young saplings
instead.
We search for
salamanders as
we dip our feet into
cold cave-fed
streams,
but instead
we only find
empty
plastic bottles
and bags
bobbing
in the water.
We search for
fragile summer
orchids in the
leaves,
but instead
we find
discarded
beer cans and
cigarette butts.
We search for
peace in the
wilderness,
but instead
we find late
night music
and illegal
four-wheeler
trails.
We search for
ourselves
amid nature,
but instead
we realize
people have
cut ourselves
off,
and all that
once
restored
our hope is
disappearing
into the
darkness
of humanity.