24 March 2023

What's Next?

 

They paved paradise     
put up a parking lot.*


Humans who thoughtlessly and blissfully

expand energy use and its accessories

were once-upon-a-time unaware of what

was lost, were unable to hear indigenous

warnings that we kill our brothers and sisters. 

What did I know?  Did I know what we did?

I rattle around with others like die

in the hands of gamblers before the throw. 

It’s a crap game, in all meanings, when we

destroy habitat necessary for lives.


Once we had cushions that kept us from harm

and gave us purpose. Now with no protection,  

I listen to trees, and we all listen 

to running water and insects and where-

ever the wind causes dialogue.  

Turbulence reigns.  We see excess or lack

of rain and snow.  We listen to animal

companions; we watch the behavior of the wild.

Biologists speak of the destruction of species,

and imbalance teaches us to believe.

 

There are fewer seed spreaders and pollinators. 

Trees have fewer visitors.  I used to think

science proved everything, now I believe

predictions.  We have less than ten years before

we join the desperate wanderers on earth.

Yet I’ve made few changes in my life: I still mow

grass so my front lawn matches my neighbors’.

But in my backyard, the pine trees I planted

reach out to me, and we share gratitude.  I’m

hearing murmurings from non-human life.


I have no way to tell you how the language—

if it is one—enters me, no way to translate

my take-away and stay-with.  I sit, stand,

or walk and murmur back, “I am yours.  I am here.” 

I begin to hope we can save some of us.  


 Written for earthweal's The Age of Loneliness

 

*Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi (Official Lyric Video)



My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2023 Susan L. Chast



2 comments:

  1. I love your message of hope in the midst of the futility!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I so resonate with this poem. We mourn. We listen. We bear witness. We are present and aware. And only wish world leaders were as well. Sigh. Oh, that closing line, Susan. Goes straight to the heart. Beautifully written.

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