The remaining trees stare at us today
with many unanswered questions
about their many dead kin
and the deforested land
Who will tell them
we were making paper
to make the same money
we say does not grow on trees?
Who will kneel
and tell the near barren earth
that we deeply excavated her belly
for her jewels, to build skyscrapers
amass wealth and carve modern Utopias?
Who will explain to Mother Earth how
children died of famine under whose feet
the same jewels from her belly were mined?
Who will say I planted the landmines?
Who will say I drank the now dry rivers?
Who amongst us will account
for the depleted ocean life
and polluted water?
Who will say I
burnt those toxic fumes into the air
melted the ice, and pissed off the rain?
When Mother Nature asks these questions
who among us will say, It is I?
-
Author:
Garth Rakumakoe (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: November 28th, 2021 14:00
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 56
- Users favorite of this poem: Paul Bell, Fay Slimm., Coyote
Offline)
Comments8
A good writing … and people can be very selfish and uncaring towards nature … I love nature so much and I hate how much it’s affected by others
The price of "civilization" I guess, yellowrose. I concur, much harm has been done and is still carrying on. Love, light and peace to you. Thank you for the gracious visit.
It’s very sad (
I would blame the industrialised nations. Britain being high up the list in the beginning. Consumerism probably comes next. I would now say Mother Nature is responding to the plight of her garden, and with total ferocity. Man will always be greedy, and probably wouldn't be missed.
Very unfortunate Paul, that economic sustainability has done so much harm. Perhaps with talks of green gases and so on we could expect a turn around. The question to that is when, I guess.
I've noticed the mining for cobalt that are used in electric cars is already being exploited in the Congo. Even going green, we're still at it.
Very true dear Paul. That has been the case in the Congo since the early to mid 50's my friend, when Congo, then Zaire was a Belgian colony. The Congolese cobalt has sadly been the protagonist in the bloodshed of thousands, circa '61 - '65.
filled to overflowing with sad and bitter truths ... and that summative line of yours Garth, sadly say's it all .. N
Thank you Neville. Much appreciated.
Oh the power in these haunting lines and the shame of civilization for its selfish greed -- this goes into my favourites for its reminders of what mother nature suffers - - and how bitterly the consumer age shall regret her pain.
I guess by its very description dear Fay, consumerism suggests just that, doesn't it? That we consume. That is what consumers do. Thank you for the appreciation, gifted one.
In the words of a famous Billy Joel song "We didn't start the fire". But we sure can sart to put it out.
I have started... have you?
It takes more than poetry.
Profound. The question at the very heart of the matter, that determines tomorrow. It does take more that poetry. Very true. It starts with the little things in my experience.
Very good and very true words Garth, we may be too late to save the world but those who could save the world will not as there is nothing in it for them.
Andy
I hate to agree with you, but I have to admit, you are right, and that is a sad state of affairs, Andy.
Who indeed! A very poignant write that speaks to the very soul of our being. Excellent.
Thank you for the visit dear writer. Light, peace, and blessings gifted one.
Nice write,I think mother earths heart is broke alittle,certainly dissapointed in our ways,thanks ,take care
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.