incrementally

when it is time to take the masks off

we shudder from the revelations

we find it is time to open up

we open our eyes and see

artificial intelligence 

that is changing you and changing me

and the climate crisis mirrors the one

inside and throughout us

insistently and persistently presenting 

more problems

until solutions abound

and trees are planted

garbage is gathered strategically

progress is measured incrementally

humans are stretched to the edges of 

what they understand

soaked by the downpour of how much more

there is to learn 

when it is time for the masks to crumble

we find reason to be humble

waking up to 

the hot cup of tea

the wild possibility

begging life to be smooth

begging the world to come clean

asking silently for honesty

from within and from without

without a doubt

time to get free

to release you and release me