This poem is a rare combination of my life as a poet and a public health worker. This poem juxtaposes the personal option of some to choose organic food but the collective difficulty of choosing clean air. Some times we can individually buy our way out of health issues through economic power but securing common goods, such as clean air, require much more collective actions. May we take a collective breath and work together to secure a robust public health for all.
Take a Collective Breath
So, why do you eat organic food?
Because it is easier
Than breathing organic air
And if you don’t get it
It is not my fault
It is our fault
Our collective share
It’s inspired
As our common good
Or not
