Bees die and birds drop from the sky
Storm clouds release an acid rain
We argue and science deny
Nations shrug and call us insane
Oceans are warming, ice caps melt
Bees die and birds drop from the sky
Climate shifts can surely be felt
While sitting on hands we ask why
The earth warns us the end draws nigh
Drilling and fracking makes impacts
Bees die and birds drop from the sky
Drought grips us as the parched ground cracks
Species extinction happens fast
What does it take to open eyes
All others have died and we’re last
Bees die and birds drop from the sky
And here we are still talking about climate change. This was a topic that was mishandled from the start. A real marketing disaster. It should have never been tagged with “Global Warming” as too many had difficulty connecting the dots between melting ice caps and weather extremes swinging hot and very cold. It is a shift, a change in climate. And that change does not bode well for the earth or for human beings. The question remains, do we care enough to make serious changes in how we live? Or will we just wait until the choice is made for us. I’m thinking it will be the latter. I’m feeling a little sad.
This is a Quatern – a French form of 16 lines in 4 quatrains. Each line has 8 syllables. The first line becomes the refrain that is repeated as the 2nd line in the 2nd stanza, 3rd line in the 3rd stanza, and the last line in the 4th stanza. There is no required meter or rhyme. That however didn’t stop me from inserting a rhyme that moved with the refrain!
A Different Perspective 
My brother worked for the Maryland EPA in the 70s and testified about acid rain for some Congressional committee at the time. It’s not like any of this is new information. It’s painful to think what we might have done, had we taken it seriously. (K)
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And still many are in denial. Some of the cemetery monuments that have no faces and statues that have crumbled. It is painful to see and to watch it continue unabated.
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beyond awe about the poetry skill, what stands out more than ever for me personally here is the ‘we’ puts a veil on affairs where clarity might be needed – it has a twin ‘we don’t’ – ‘someone should’. The serenity prayer comes to mind, and also the distinction between systemic issues and individual ones. Thanks for writing –
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Thanks for the compliment!
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I love this piece muriposisis keep it up
~Kunjal
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Thanks for the visit and comment Kunjal! I try to write some poetry regularly…
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People confuse climate with weather. 😦
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True that!
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I agree, Val…major marketing blunder!
I love your poem and the rhyme you inserted.
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I’m so pleased you liked this poem! ❤
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It’s always a big struggle to insist that something fun and comfortable (a lifestyle) has to change to something less for something that is not visible. At first, I was baffled because in the 70’s scientists were saying we were about to enter another ice age due to air pollutants. I can see how that all came about as I look back, but I can appreciate how some would still remain baffled by all of the information (true and untrue) they have to apply energy toward in order to make some decisions.
I pray a lot about God clearing up the confusion for all of us.
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Yes Dodi, there is confusion aplenty. I am considering all the little ways (and bigger ones) to reduce my carbon footprint, improve the environment around me, and reverse some of the damage. The big problem is that industry and governments are not doing anything to help and in many cases working against efforts to reverse the damage! Prayer is at times all we can do.
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I look around me and see people oblivious to the things they could do to ameliorate their own contribution to climate change. I certainly sympathize with those who turn to the government to solve the problem but I don’t get why they continue to vote for leaders who fail to take the painful (and politically suicidal) measures that we need. I’m reminded of the Jackson Browne song, Rock Me on the Water:
“Oh people, look around you
The signs are everywhere
You’ve left it for somebody other than you
To be the one to care…”*
I have no children, so why should I care about the mess we are leaving? But what a shame to despoil this beautiful world for silly and ephemeral pleasures.
*Rock Me On The Water lyrics © Jackson Browne/Swallow Turn Music/Night Kitchen Music/Open Window Music
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It is a mystery and yet I know that many turn to government to do everything – from fixing people and places and to taking care of everything. I wish more people understood the connectedness of land use and climate… I’m attempting to reduce, reuse, and recycle and even to replace.
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Another brilliant form of poetry to learn from you Val. And another lesson too about our environment. I’ve noticed that over the years, “global warming” has been used more of “marketing strategy” rather than addressing the real issue. Companies have become richer for so called coming up with innovative products that help in the conservation of mother earth. But truth be told, there is more damaging effect than preserving persee. Politicians too have built a solid fan/voters base because of them adapting to conservation of the earth policies, but sadly when they get elected, the promises they made seemed to go down the drain.
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Thanks Mich. I’m so happy you liked this poem and the form! As for politicians, I haven’t seen too many who can be effective in anything other than sowing discord. (but that’s just my biased opinion)
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Honestly, I think it’s likely too late already, but that doesn’t mean we should stop trying.
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If everyone did a little then maybe there would be some improvement… I’m holding onto hope.
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beautiful!
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Thank-you.
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Marianne Williamson speaks of climate grieving, or planet grieving. It’s normal to feel sad about what is going on. Let it not debilitate you, though. There is much to do, by each of us.
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I’m not giving up – I figure every little bit helps. Still it makes me sad/mad when I see people littering, not recycling, and driving huge 8mpg trucks and then leave them idling in the parking lot to run into the store!!!
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Idling, at least, is something I don’t do-just the thought that an opportunistic thief would jump in the car and take off with it should be enough for anyone with a pulse to turn the engine off and lock the door, even for a two-minute errand.
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Oh they lock the doors but leave the engine on! If the doors were unlocked I’d be sorely tempted to turn off the engine!
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I do believe there still is a chance for climate but the number one thing that is stopping us is that they companies & lawmakers are always putting their profits over people. Even since the industrial revolution this has been a problem. We can only be so greedy when it comes to money that real world issues matter more than a dollar. I really hope we fix it before it becomes too bad.
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True. But until we make the decision individually it is unlikely that companies will make a change. Even then until their share holders demand accountability instead of profits it is unlikely to change. Still i hold out hope…
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There are cities in the world who already consider restrictioning water, and people are absolutely mad about it. Well, we’re going to have to learn the hard way to treasure our resources, because we will never take responsibility otherwise. Our actions destroy the environment and that leads to our downfall as well, eventually. Like you said, decisions will be made for us. Sadly.
Great poem by the way.
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Thanks for the visit and comment Stefana. We are truly in a dire situation. The summers are hotter and the winters colder and the seasons are shifting but the crops haven’t adapted… I feel like this is building to a breaking point where humans will have to make some very substantial changes in how we live and what we do in this world….
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