Climate Crime

by Vismita Holavanahalli

Cool air desperately thrashes through the door 

Without a chance to escape

Exasperated by my touch, the girl sees outside as a chore

Attempting to battle my embrace with her drape

She builds up the courage for confrontation

I lay out a scorching trail for her to set ablaze

My inferno grasps solid white shoes that proceed to her destination

Drowning in my reigns of fury launch her into a craze

Even superhumans who are tough as nails

With fiery uniforms, mocking my presence, are put to shame

One pat on the back from me instantly makes them frail

Trapped within themselves, succumbing to the flames

Plastic bottles, glass, and food congregate to provide them with shade

Brilliant and unbeatable trash mountains dominate the street

What they don’t see is my carefully planted grenade

Tarnishing the high and mighty reputation with their pungent breath to beat

My dancing tortures the girl as she proceeds to the concrete jungle

Simply brushing her hand on a door knob aches the building’s soul

The giants who once stood confidently are degraded, now bungle

They shamelessly bow to me and offer their strength, which has been my goal

Thinking she can escape to the hospital’s open arms, the girl is incorrect

For my powers have soared far beyond my wildest dreams

Patients full of exhaustion, attempting to fix what I wrecked

Learning their lesson after attempting to tame my beams

The girl is in the center of an unraveling cage

Remembering she contains a power far beyond the realm of my uncomfortable coat

Slashing through the obstacles I throw at her, moving with a menacing rage

Reaching the polls, she combats my destruction with just one vote