I have crushed the breath of spring
with selfishness cruel
blind to the river that flooded
taking away whatever life remained
and the grass withered.
I have thrown out ashes
that have never burned
onto the land that I wanted to grow
taking away the nuture of the sun
thinking that the destruction would pass.
I have cleared away trees
without planting another seed
letting the soil hunger
ash falling between the pores
and I wondered why only dust flew.
I have realized the death of spring
as smoke fills the sky
what have I left for others to follow
but rust and tears born too late.