has swept
the nations

defeat nature
colonize her
coerce her
into
submission

control the flow
of information

oppress Gaia
assimilate
her diversity

rip up her bounty
by the roots

get ahead
of disease

arm the cell with spikes
give yourself something to battle
even if it is your own porous shadow

corrupt
with poison
profit and perversion

fight the Darwinian legions
modified antediluvian eternals
with cytotoxin syringes
muted heavy metals

drown out
amassing whispers

fence the forest
where Ivy grows

among the mycelium
deep and everywhere

she cools the blood
balances the biome

she does not favor the full
she does not demand tithe
or youth sacrifice

Ivy breaks rock to soil
dissolves facade to plenty
serves change and evolution
consumes decay and fear
grants renewal

when Ivy is free
science married
with nature

Shelley's monster will rest
entombed and soothed
encapsulated and healed
deep in the permafrost
of creation's memory

***