For the Monarchs

For the Monarchs

I remember you
up on the
High Plains
filling the sky
dancing your
way to Mexico.
every spring
you were there
drifting like
tiny angels
on the wind.
now you are gone.
we have traded you
for dead food
and corn syrup
and ethanol.
we took your
ancient migration down
for corporate farms.
we took the bees too.
we took you
and now
we fret and argue
over climate change
as the drums of
denial and greed
beat louder.
you are the canary
in the mine
you are dying
by the millions.
how much time
do you really think
we have left?
will you all have
to vanish
before we see
that we are
falling
with you too?

j scott lockhart