And So We Breathe,

in and out, in and out, in and out:
unbothered by our ignorance, 
needing no permission,
assuming our right to life. 

We believe it right, 
if ever we think about it,
to ignore the lesser animals
who also breathe. 

We do not care 

or give thanks to trees
that enable breath
by providing our daily oxygen.

We think it due us. 

Ignorance and greed will kill us 
as we burn trees down,
trees we can save by planting,
by sharing wealth  

with others on whom life depends. 
Otherwise, there will no longer be
animals on this earth 
that breathe the air, 
nor even whales in the oceans. 

We are their hope. 
Like us, they depend on trees, 
so that in our greed

we take these animals with us
to a “selfie” end.