THE FUTURE HAS SPOKEN
In vain efforts to fathom
What lies behind time's enigmatic curtain,
Poets of old would grasp the quill,
With trembling hand inscribe
in grainy ink of lampblack soot
That the future is wholly
Opaque,
turbid opaque and
stark dark blind spot,
Like a blind stain, like a blind blot.
Uncertain, not a clue what awaits
Around the corner, just out of sight.
She is the mute lady daughter ignorant
of Great Sphynx and Delphi
can't fingerspell or speak,
she is body language oblivious
never read a line
never mind a book
Today, however
the future speaks fluent polyglot:
master of legalese
highwire artist donning huts
now subatomic now astrophysical
breaking news in stern officialese
She frightens us to death
hiss miming preventive intimidation
Frowning upon humanity
She is yelling us
to Last Judgement
right here right now
wagging her index finger with fiery zeal
like some priory Mother Superior
sista moralista
chasing vagabonds
stealing her peace and all
The future threatens us
with eons of suffering magnum opus
Atacama droughts in your garden
ice age floods à la Missoula
for breakfast lunch
all you can eat brunch
Hurricanes and solar mega flares,
Wolf Creek asteroids squared then cubed
And century wars galore for water and food,
Pandemics and permafrost viruses
pleading
take us to the imperial march
Armageddon.
Who will find the pearl of courage to stand before
Such a know-it-all outspoken future?
Before the toxic emerald sea of peril?
Who will summon back a bundle of stars over the hill
to reborn our homeland for the knowledge of life,
For savoir vivre?
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Author:
Lily of the valley (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: December 9th, 2025 08:30
- Comment from author about the poem: Observing the world in dramatic decay, I fear for the future of children. The future no longer seems uncertain, but certain in an unattractive light. The poem is not indifferent and ends with a rhetorical question addressed to the rather blind leaders of the people and nations.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 6
Offline)
Comments1
A surrealistic poem in a surrealistic world where hedonism is the name and greed is the game. Well written
Thank you. Your understanding of the poem reveals its core idea.
You are most welcome
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