Mother Nature: (_Comes slowly onstage as...

Mother Nature: (Comes slowly onstage as a homeless woman, dressed quite shabbily. She has a wreath of dried flowers around her head and a large bag filled with all her worldly possessions around her shoulder. She is humming “Heaven, I’m in heaven.” She moves wearily towards the chair and settles herself in as if she has sat there many times before. She should have that air about her that she is a little crazy, but yet, she is grounded in wisdom and truth. She speaks to the audience.)

Hello There.

I hope you don’t mind, but this is my spot.

I feel comfortable here.

I’ve had a very long night.

Yes. You see, I just came from a birth—

A difficult birth.

Seems the little fellow wanted to enter this world feet first.

Oh, don’t worry…we got it sorted out, and down he came.

It never ceases to amaze me.

That first gasp of breath.

That first cry.

I look into their eyes and I see…

This beautiful glow of new life.

Ah yes, it is truly amazing.

It’s remarkable really.

No, I’m not talking about the baby,

Everybody talks about the baby.

I’m talking about the mother.

We always seem to forget that when a baby is born,

So, too, is a Mother.

You might not realize it, but…I see a lot from where I sit.

You don’t see me, but I see you.

And quite frankly, I’m worried about the mothers today.

I remember a time when mothers were honored, revered, canonized.

We were strong.

We were goddesses.

You would lay flowers at our feet…

And now…

And now…

(She rattles her change cup at the audience)

Well, let’s just say we’re a little down on our luck.

(She notices the trees.)

Oh, poor things.

(She kneels down next to a tree and fusses with it.)

This tree needs water.

They all need water.

They need some tending to…

They need each other.

(She shifts the trees around, closer to each other. She is indignant.)

You can’t have a forest with only one tree standing alone!

I wish I could make them see that.

You see I know it’s not easy... this transformation.

It requires a lot of strength and grace.

To grow with the changes...

To stretch your heart!

To go from child of a mother to mother of a child.

But, I want to help them along,

What can I say…

It’s in my nature. (winks)