and they say
that mars was once like earth
but now i see mars is earth
blackened red and barren
and once mars burned as we do now
and it’s always california
the blazing state
the deadly scorching state
the martian state
and people are fleeing
from cities, from homes
from smoke and choke
and they say good for her
fighting back
but it’s futile
and within 30 years our planet will black and blue
all salt
and ash and embers
blue melting sea
and red, sizzling land,
sinking, sinking, sinking
Delany Burk is a four year senior at Idyllwild Arts Academy who loves watching the stars, drinking coffee, and getting snuggly in cold weather. In her writing, she enjoys exploring the philosophical, scientific, and emotional side of writing.
Visual art by Reah Eunji Kang.