The Sky is on Fire, and So Are We

The sky is on fire, and so are we, the air is thick with death,
The smoke rolls in like a funeral shroud, stealing away our breath.
The trees once whispered ancient songs, now all they do is scream,
And rivers run with embered ash where water used to gleam.

The world is burning – do you see? Or do you shield your eyes?
Pretending that the rising flames are just a red-stained sky?
The hills that stood a thousand years now crumble into dust,
And all the creatures flee in vain from greed disguised as “trust.”

Yet still, they drill, and still, they burn, and still, they sign the deals,
Still, they tell us “calm yourselves,” while stacking up the bills.
They sit in suits, they sip their wine, they tally up their wealth,
While firestorms rip across the land and choke the world itself.

The sky is on fire, but it didn’t just start – this blaze was set long ago,
With promises made in parliament halls with corporations all in tow.
They struck the match with their policies, they fanned the flames with their greed,
They cashed in on the land’s last breath and left the earth to bleed.

They tell us that the rain will come, that seasons work in waves,
But all we see are cinders now, and all we dig are graves.
For every field of blackened bones, they offer thoughts and prayers,
As if the forests care for gods who never answered theirs.

They mine the ground and drain the seas, they gut the sacred stone,
They call it progress, call it growth, while tearing flesh from bone.
The warnings came, the elders spoke, the signs were always there,
But wisdom doesn’t fit their plans – so they pretend they care.

The sky is on fire, and so are we, but some still feel it more,
For those who walk on stolen ground, the loss cuts to the core.
This land was never empty space, it thrived in hands that knew,
How fire cleans, how seasons move, how Country speaks in blue.

But now, the smoke has drowned the stars, the trees are black with grief,
And where the Dreaming once stood tall, remains a thief’s relief.
For when the fires take their toll, the miners set their sights,
On lands that scream but cannot fight against their legal rights.

The koalas cling to charred remains, their voices hoarse with pain,
And rivers boil, the fish float up, the earth cries out in vain.
Yet in the towers built on lies, the men still play their game,
They count their profits, shake their heads, then set the land aflame.

The sky is on fire, and so are we, but we won’t be burned away,
We march beneath the choking clouds, we fight, we won’t obey.
The time for pleading, time for talk, has long since turned to ash,
We’ve learned that waiting patiently just lets the wealthy stash.

For every promise left unkept, for every law ignored,
For every leader bought and sold, for every voice outscored –
We take the streets, we paint the signs, we block the roads they pave,
We stand where forests used to stand, we fight for what they crave.

They call us radicals, rebels, insane, they say that we go too far,
Yet they’re the ones who light the match and leave the world with scars.
They jail the ones who dare to speak, who dare to block the tracks,
They call us criminals for truth – yet never look back.

The sky is on fire, and so are we, but fire can cleanse, not just kill,
It burns away the rot and greed, it carves a path, it bends to will.
The flames that tear through hills and homes may try to take us down,
But from the embers, seeds will rise – new roots will break the ground.

For every tree that fell in pain, a hundred more will grow,
For every law they try to pass, resistance starts to flow.
We are the voices, loud and fierce, the ones they cannot tame,
We will not bow, we will not break, we are the burning flame.

So let the sky ignite with rage, let every storm cry out,
Let every voice be heard at last, let silence turn to shouts.
We will not let this land be sold, not let it turn to dust,
We are the fire that fights for life

And we will rise – we must.

 

 

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969