I recall a time when we swam in lakes, not pools, and the lakes were safe from pollutants of chemical wastes. In the sixties a strong concern for the preservation of our natural resorces was underway as people became more and more aware of the destruction that pollution was waging on our society as a whole. My own concern was reflected in a poem I wrote called, "Barren Beginning".
BARREN BEGINNING
By Jeanette Cooper Earth is but a growing child
Disciplined by confused parents,
Avaricious in all they do,
Exploiting nature’s natural gifts
Yielding with docile patience.
Earth asks nothing in return,
But smiles on its kin who would,
Unawares, destroy its growth
And debilitate it until it evolves
Back to its barren beginning.
Man, uncivilized to nature’s ways
Decimates the forests
Leaving decaying stumps that protrude
Above the earth’s surface
Like silent tombstones.
He flushes his waste into clear streams
Blue waters turning murky and dark;
Stagnating with filth and debris
Running thick like yellow pus
Oozing from an open sore.
He seduces the wilderness
Thus sowing the seeds of industry,
Totaling wildlife into extinction
Murdering the natural purities
Of nature’s sweet terrain.
He hungers for material extravagance
Conveniences that provoke a revolution
Against clean air and pure oxygen;
Demanding more industry with its smoke stacks
Foaming with soot and grime.
He cannot, will not, go back
To the past, but ever forward
In his unintelligence to compromise
With that which prolongs his life.
He will annihilate himself, and
Bring the world back
To its barren beginning.
I love your simile for tree stumps. So many people show awareness as strong as this but too many have disregard still. This poem demonstrates both sides of the coin; what we've been given and what we're doing. Fantastic write! Love and Hugs,
Sheila
You remind me of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" with your timely and prophetic verses, Jeanette. Sadly, we seem to be learning far too slowly. Love and best wishes,
our dear mother earth...one can almost feel her weeping when toxic waste is poured over her beautiful surface, when garbage is scattered abroad, forests destroyed and never resewn, stripped of her very being. I enjoyed your write, it is sad, but a reality that we must face...Some people have learned a lesson about preservation, and just caring but too many have not. I had a dear friend whom passed away two years ago that would have really enjoyed this write, he was a very vocal and active within our state concerning the care and the missuse of our land. He was of the seux culture and a great person...you would've loved to hear him. Thank you for allowing me to recall this precious person and for reminding the readers of what's ahead if we do not get a grip. Great write!
Blessings and Merry Christmas from Kentucky,
Joyce Bowling
He will annihilate himself, and
Bring the world back
To its barren beginning.
I sadly believe that to be true, and I hope I won't be around to see the bloody end. For all our so called intelligence, mankind has learned very little about preserving Mother Earth.
Each person is but a grain of sand resting beside the sea. This thought sets the tone for Jill Eisnaugle’s latest poetry collection, Beside Still Waters.
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Sheila
Regis
Love,
CJ
debra
Blessings and Merry Christmas from Kentucky,
Joyce Bowling
Bring the world back
To its barren beginning.
I sadly believe that to be true, and I hope I won't be around to see the bloody end. For all our so called intelligence, mankind has learned very little about preserving Mother Earth.