It’s hard being the protector
when she’s so vulnerable
WaterIntakePipeline
Runs into the lake between
two boat bouys
pure and clean
pure and clean
It’s hard being the protector
when she’s so vulnerable
gentle crashing on the shore
a conversation with the sun
chemical reaction evaporation
carried into the sky
she’s carried carefully by cloud
cuddled and coddled
It’s hard to be the protector
when she’s so vulnerable
outma sqilxw quin quanat apna
still weak from the chemicals
the artificial enhancement
that was force fed laughing at the shore
A ‘clean’ beach means a dirty shore
no marsh to filter no tuli sponge
still in golden clusters pollen gathers
in waves to gossip with the shore
It’s hard to be the protector
when she’s so vulnerable
but she stays
throughout winter, spring, summer and fall
bringing life, the melody of the frogs
the courage of the birds and strength
to the people
She, so strong yet so vulnerable
fierce, pure and clean
protector and giver of life
she laps at the shore making her presence
known her job is protector and vulnerable
no more