This poem takes on an impressive tone of caution and critique, with imagery as sharp as the scythes wielded by harvesters in “tailored suits.” The way Sarah B. Royal framed silicon fields as blooming orchards of transistors and data-bees—a fusion of organic and synthetic—creates a thought-provoking allegory of modern technology and greed.
Her exploration of these “neon orchards” and their cost is reminiscent of poets who tackle themes of industrialization, capitalism, and environmental decay, such as Wendell Berry or Naomi Shihab Nye. The “rare-earth ore spilled for power” and the metaphor of “landfills rising” speak poignantly to the unsustainability of unchecked progress and the ecological toll we often overlook.
The final lines act as a profound warning: every bloom of greed comes with consequences, rooting thorns into the future. There’s a sense of agency here, urging readers to reflect on their choices and collective responsibility—a striking note of both introspection and hope.
WoPoLi 
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