we can peer down from space
at the forests, graph
their particular spectrum
of colors, correlate
with ground data
reading the water table,
the moisture in trunk, branch, leaf—
learn what simple rain gauge,
temperature, and wind
or a walk through the woods
have already told—
struggling, tinder-dry, dying,
or slashed and burned—
or burning still—
or walk our streets
and mark where trees
shade our sidewalks,
where roofs receive sun—
though where our children
are safe or unsafe,
our water drinkable,
we need updates,
hour by hour.