I grew up under an azure sky
Black earth cradling my back
My roots were never left to dry
My skin subjected to no cracks
One day I was collected
By a cheerful family
What happened next was unexpected
The brutal inhumanity
They cut me from my mother vine
Then drew on me with ink
Slashed holes to fit their design
Filled my belly with candle wick
Now I’m abandoned in a compost heap
My body in quick decay
There’s nothing left of me to weep
I’ll be black earth myself someday
Image Description: The insides of a partly scooped out pumpkin. Seeds and fibrous strands dangle from the top.
