Born and raised in rural Illinois, Lexi Leach (she/they) developed a deep appreciation for nature from a young age. Growing up alongside horses, she and her sister spent countless hours riding and training under the guidance of their mother, forging a strong bond rooted in their shared love for animals, the outdoors, and dedication. Seeking new horizons and opportunities, Lexi moved to Chicago in pursuit of a place she could truly call home. With a passion for understanding the natural world, she embarked on a journey through academia, currently serving as STEM Department Head at a secondary school while pursuing her graduate studies in biology and GIS. Her focus lies in ecology, particularly investigating how human interactions impact aquatic ecosystems—an area where her dedication to conservation and sustainability shines through. Inherited from a paternal lineage of poets, Lexi finds peace and expression in writing poems. Through her verses, she carefully weaves narratives that capture the essence of her experiences, blending the scientific curiosity of the natural world with a lyrical touch. Lexi continues to embrace her everyday life through poetry—a life where the rhythm of hoofbeats that once pounded in her being are now replaced by the bustling sounds of urban life intertwined with faint typing of her keyboard.


A Pause


Words are tricky.
Changes in tone,
Diverse meanings,
Feeling alone.
Disconnection
Between us all.
Phrases express,
Feelings appall.
A writing block,
Dull emotions,
A blank paper,
Mind commotions.
Memories fade.
You still remain,
Kind and perfect
And free of pain.


Watering the Flowers


Rain gently knocks at the window
Telling us all that life is new.
She kindly feeds flowers and trees;
Singing softly as I hold you.
The rhythmic beating in your chest
Supplies the tempo for my piece.
Nature alternates the chorus
With songs from rain, robins, and geese.
Your footsteps create new flowers
As soft and warm as your smooth skin;
Radiating love and beauty,
Contrasting the cool air blown in.
A dreamy reality here
As I lie next to perfect you.
Thoughts of past, present, and future
Drip into my eyes like fresh dew.
A full life with natural love,
A love that only empowers.
Unconditional devotion
Just like watering the flowers.


The Death of Life


I've been told to think optimistically,
Enjoy the simple pleasures of Life,
But how could I ever fathom goodness
If we are pressing into her neck with a knife?
Not one mortal soul seems to care
That Life is disappearing all around.
Our coal, fuel, and technology stand high
While she faces Death without making a sound.
We destroyed the world she created
And replaced it with deceit and pollution.
As drought and fire rip through the East,
The melting Arctic overfills the ocean.
Atlantic hurricanes uplift Life at her roots,
While freezing conditions stall the South.
Death grows more and more hungry,
And we are all inching towards her mouth.
As Life takes her final breath,
Death grabs her hand while hiding a leer.
She whispers as Life's body grows limp.
"They are mine now. Rest well, my dear"