CHILDREN POUR LEMONADE INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO

by Sandra Ervin Adams

They cried the night they saw dying pelicans on TV.
In bed after saying prayers,
their little minds contrived a way to help.

The next day their little hands rolled lemons,
combined sour juice
with water
and sugar,
in an attempt to make a desirable drink.

They poured the mixture from a plastic pitcher,
sold it by the cupful,
told reporters of plans
to send their profits to coastal groups
benefiting birds, turtles, fish, and other sea creatures.

Youthful entrepreneurs, yes, but more so,
budding empaths who would grow
to be like their predecessors
several generations ago
who sold flowers
on street corners.



Sandra Ervin Adams lives in Onslow County, and her first chapbook was Union Point Park Poems. She is listed in A Directory of American Poets and Writers.
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