Where did the polar bears go? Where will the polar bears go?
Copyright 2007, Jerry W. Engler
Where did the polar bears go?
Where will the polar bears go?
I really need to know.
And you tell me that you
Want to know too.
So here’s another dire warning
About global warming,
Where will the polar bears go?
Where did the polar bears go?
Once northern lights,
Danced over mountain heights
Where forests of new oak trees grew
Before the melting glaciers
Of a bygone older age,
A bygone colder age,
When the mountains
Were always covered in snow
That never, ever melted,
So, where did the polar bears go?
The Norwegians sailed in ships
Over the melting green expanse
Of the great Northern Sea
To Iceland, Greenland and Vinland.
They found land for farming,
For grazing their cattle and sheep
Before the melting Greenland glaciers
Of a bygone older age,
A bygone colder age,
When their lands
Had been covered in snow
That never ever melted.
So, where did the polar bears go?
Then the little ice age
Set the world stage
That melted the Norwegians away,
Starving, dying and suffering,
On their little Greenland farms,
The spruce drove out the oaks
On their growing mountain glaciers
New-covered by feet of snow
That never, ever melted,
Building on top of a bygone age
A bygone colder age,
But where had the polar bears been,
My friend,
Where did the polar bears go?
We really need to know,
Because we’re doing it all again,
My friend,
The world is warming again,
So, where will the polar bears go?
The snow is melting away,
The glaciers turn to water each day,
The spruce of Norway are still here,
But soon might disappear,
When the oaks come back again.
So, we’re burning our gas for Norwegians.
Soon the Norwegians will plow
Greenland again,
Maybe tomorrow, maybe in 10 years,
But where will the polar bears go?
Because the ice of a bygone age,
The ice of an older, colder age,
That may be slow to come back again
Is melting away, my friend.
So, where will the polar bears go?
Where will the polar bears go?
If it isn’t obvious to you now,
I don’t know what to tell you,
Holy cow!
You're focused on the ice,
Thawing all around you,
In all the earth’s warming regions,
But the polar bears are busy too,
They’re turning into Norwegians.
Want to review or comment on this poem?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviews of "Polar bears a' go go"
Reviewed by Julie Murphy (Reader)
Reviewed on March 28, 2008
A wonderful, thought provoking and timely piece. Thanks.
A thoughtful, provocative issue for modern-day humankind as well as for our polar bears.
And it may be that the disappearing homeland of the polar bear is only the first sign of what may be the disappearing of the homelands of all of us.
The alarm is being sounded. The civilized human race is slowly awakening to the calamity we are creating for ourselves. Will we respond soon enough? Will the changes we make be enough?
I fear for the polar bear. I fear for the human race. Before too long I will be but a memory for a few. But those remaining and following in the generations to come may join me sooner than they ever expected. It may be that it's all too late for them.
So what will they do?
They'll not be alone. They'll join the polar bear, and this world will be nothing but a barren and solitary sphere awaiting another chance.
But will the chance be given?
We'll not be here to care.
We'll be snuggled up and cozy
With our friendly polar bear.
A somewhat irreverent poem broadcasting a message many of us fear. But wait! Is that Archangel Gabriel blowing the horn we don't want to hear?
Keep writing, Jerry. Your verse is always packed with image and out-on-the street insight.
So, where will the polar bears go?
Where will the polar bears go?
An extremely sad phenomenon, this massive ice melt. Where will they go? I've read where some grizzlies are already moving north into former polar bear territory looking for food. I fear far too many of earth's magnificent creatures are now on the brink.
A book of nature inspired poems and essays, written from the heart and soul of a life-long nature, animal, and wilderness lover, and dedicated to today’s children - Earth's only hope for a better tomorrow.
This book won 'The Poetry Category'
Explore the mystery of how nature makes unexpected gifts of creative wonders to an unsuspecting caregiver one late night and early morning in southeastern Georgia, USA.
Share
Print
Save
Follow
Regis
Gina
And it may be that the disappearing homeland of the polar bear is only the first sign of what may be the disappearing of the homelands of all of us.
The alarm is being sounded. The civilized human race is slowly awakening to the calamity we are creating for ourselves. Will we respond soon enough? Will the changes we make be enough?
I fear for the polar bear. I fear for the human race. Before too long I will be but a memory for a few. But those remaining and following in the generations to come may join me sooner than they ever expected. It may be that it's all too late for them.
So what will they do?
They'll not be alone. They'll join the polar bear, and this world will be nothing but a barren and solitary sphere awaiting another chance.
But will the chance be given?
We'll not be here to care.
We'll be snuggled up and cozy
With our friendly polar bear.
A somewhat irreverent poem broadcasting a message many of us fear. But wait! Is that Archangel Gabriel blowing the horn we don't want to hear?
Keep writing, Jerry. Your verse is always packed with image and out-on-the street insight.
Richard
Where will the polar bears go?
An extremely sad phenomenon, this massive ice melt. Where will they go? I've read where some grizzlies are already moving north into former polar bear territory looking for food. I fear far too many of earth's magnificent creatures are now on the brink.
LOL ... wondering the same thing. Humor, yet a bittersweet sadness in excellent, thought provoking verse: well done.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.