Elemental Concerns (Revised)

Grassy plains and fields were blanketed by tar
Paved parking lots for vacant malls take their toll
Abuse of resources was taken too far
Ash spews from volcanoes, earthquakes on a roll

Brisk breezes bring relief; sultry, summer days
Be grateful as gentle gusts grace our land
When hurricane winds whip fiercely, homes are razed
An omen we’ve been chastised by nature’s hand

Fire provides comfort on chilly winter nights
But the explosion over Hiroshima
Demonstrates man’s abuse of the atom’s might
Keeping fire, emotions reigned, the dilemma

Water gave birth to our planet’s first life forms
Pollution, man-made disasters now rampant
Sea life endangered as ocean water warms
To preserve them, efforts must be diligent

Though elements withstand ravages of time
Diminishing resources reflect man’s crimes


*For Barbara Gorelick's Earth, Wind, Fire and Water challenge
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
September 14, 2010 at 8:24 PM
I never told you congratulations yet here. I am reading some wonderful entries tonight. Great win for you on this wonderful entry. LUv, Andrea
Fraser Avatar
September 4, 2010 at 7:36 AM
Many congratulations Carolyn on your win in Barbara's contest. I am forever in awe at the way you write >> James,xx
Mehta Avatar
September 3, 2010 at 7:20 AM
Congratulations on the win for this wonderful poem, Carolyn
Richards Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 7:04 AM
I love the theme of this poem....how the greed of man, and the wrath of nature, take such a toll on our ailing planet....we need these reminders indeed, if we are to have a future for planet, and future generations. We cannot ignore the damage we do. Well done, Carolyn! ~ Love, Carrie
Brown Avatar
September 2, 2010 at 4:33 AM
Congratulations on your win Carolyn in Barbara Gorelick's contest "The Four Elements". Love, Carol
Johnson Avatar
September 1, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Great work Carolyn. You covered all of the aspects of the elements. Congratulations. I have been gone from home for two full days and trying to catch up. Love, Joyce
Gorelick Avatar
September 1, 2010 at 10:04 PM
LNC, congrats my dear..This poem should be printed for all the public to read..BG
Dietrich Avatar
August 13, 2010 at 8:44 PM
ooooh your final couplet really spells out your theme very well!! Good entry and good luck, Carolyn. LUv, Andrea
Chachere Avatar
August 13, 2010 at 2:44 PM
i really enjoyed your stanza about wind.it sounds peaceful especially when its a breeze. theres someting to think about when natural disasters happen, interesting.& great write, Carolyn.i hope your day is a breeze(: ~Always&Forever Lynette
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
August 13, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Very beautiful poetry, my friend. You know that I always love your nature conservation poems. I think you will do well in the challenge with this one. SMILES, Dane Ann
Horsman Avatar
August 13, 2010 at 5:54 AM
wonderful Quatrain, Carolyn. good luck in the contest. Harry
Hickman Avatar
August 12, 2010 at 8:59 PM
a very intriguing and wisdom filled write my friend,,beautifully penned ,,all the best in the contest,,I always look forward to your writes,if I had more time i would be here much more and comment much more but with working here lately from 8 to 12 hours a day, it barely leaves time for writing,,,Blessings..Cecil
Sepulvado Anderson Avatar
August 12, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Awesome. Good luck in the contest dear. Hope you have a great day! Scarlett
Ditshwele Avatar
August 12, 2010 at 7:15 AM
good entry for the contest. good luck
Neels Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Carolyn another brilliant piece, all the best for Barbara's contest.. I send you a quick soupmail as well, love Wilma
Kendrick Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 2:50 PM
Good luck in the contest with this thoughtful write..Reads like a winner to me..Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..I appreciate you taking the time to do that..Sara
Belt Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 2:48 PM
Awesome write my friend....good luck in the contest....I didn't even know about a contest til I read Catie's entry.....Larry
Dietrich Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Another great entry in her contest. HOw will she ever judge this one? I enjoyed this, Carolyn. About sonnets. They are TOTAL 14 lines: 3 quatrains adding up to 12 lines and the finishing couplet. There are specialty types of sonnets in other forms, and they might sometimes add up to a different count. Well, I should not even be here right now. I just came to check on something and then i'm gonna get to my "sun bathing" for the day! Luv, Andrea
Dietrich Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 2:29 PM
PS. Italian sonnet and English both have 14 lines, but the rhyming patterns are different.
Delacroix Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 12:50 PM
A splendid write, denouncing the contradictions the beauty of nature and the ugliness of misuse. Thanks for sharing and thank you for your great comments on mine today, Carolyn. Your friend, Caroline.
Fraser Avatar
August 11, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Quality Quatrain and quality poetry as we have come to expect from you Carolyn. Good luck in Barbara's contest with this fine poem packed with the truth >> James
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