Flipped Hourglass

In my vantage-point the vast oceans are warming,
The sea levels are rising, while today is melting,
Cracking thick ice-shields crowning Artic, Antarctic
And ferocious intensity is churning Atlantic, Pacific,
As yesteryear in rear view flashes blunt warnings,
And future is admonishing~ morrow is drowning.

Snow-white Alps, soon forgotten dreams of past,
Rockies, Himalayas, barren as dethroned crowns,
Productive farming lands, infertile lacking rainfall,
Breeze of winsome winds, belching carbon dioxide,
Elixir of life poisoned by chemicals in water supply,
Paradise on earth soiled by callous human assault.

Proponents believe it’s true, deniers claim it’s false,
It’s an inexplicable dialogue of a human paradox,
Some assert it’s here now, others are nonchalant;

Tomorrow is troubled~ warns the flipped hourglass.

God! here comes the flood, here comes the storm,
Here come the disasters, hurricanes and cyclones,
Here comes the famine, here comes the drought,
Here on our display~ are shortcomings and faults.

Raise your voice, shout aloud~ dares anxious heart,
Apocalypse now! clamors an ubiquitous time clock,
Time to act is now, commands a flipped hourglass,
Before shore-lands vanish and coastal towns drown,
Before the earth’s scorched, before life is parched;
 
Before the game’s over, before checkmate is called.

February 8, 2022
Placed 1st: Pick-A-Title, Vol 28 Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Title chosen: Flipped Hourglass
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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12
Buehler Avatar
October 12, 2023 at 1:05 PM
Poignantly eloquent and gripping, Vijay. Belated congratulations on this timely poem. Best wishes.
Foster Avatar
April 12, 2022 at 12:46 PM
This was very well written... Ann
Baker Avatar
March 14, 2022 at 7:10 AM
The hourglass effect was smoothly displayed. The contrast of two sides kept my interest along with the descriptions. Congrats on the win, Vijay. A poet friend in Texas, Bill
B. Avatar
March 9, 2022 at 8:02 AM
I absolutely enjoyed your write, Vijay.. Exquisite and beautifully crafted! A belated congratulations on your top win, Vijay.. Have a blessed day and week, my friend!
Callus Avatar
February 20, 2022 at 12:56 AM
This is a topic which we often write about, Vijay, but it's the way we express it that makes the difference; yours is lovely and creative. ~ Regards // paul
Tor Avatar
February 19, 2022 at 5:17 PM
Congratulations Vijay on your win...
One Avatar
February 16, 2022 at 10:34 AM
Your use of language to create poetic imagery js on another level...I'm amazed by your words here...Great flow to your poem also
Pandit Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 5:46 AM
Glad to see you back on Soup, SO--even if passing through. Much appreciate and value your feedback. Many thanks.
Kiser Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 1:44 PM
I like the comparison to the hour glass in this piece; very well crafted with great depth and thought for our earth and what she goes through.
Pandit Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 5:45 AM
So true what you say about the earth. Many thanks, MLK. Much appreciate.
Y. Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 12:47 PM
Wow! Vijay, What an exceptional write for the contest theme. I echo what Anitha said. Excellent job. Congratulations on a well-deserved win. Have a great day. Ps, I hope you had a great Valentine's Day yesterday-Alexis
Pandit Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 5:44 AM
So very kind of you Alexis. Much appreciate, as always. Many many thanks.
Vangaveti Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 10:56 AM
Shouldn't this be a part of climate education? What a brilliant write!!
Pandit Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 5:44 AM
Thank you Swetha--much appreciate.
Jayasankar Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 5:44 AM
This is another one of your fine writes Vijayji, so descriptive an account on the warnings of the flipped hourglass on our troubled tomorrow..., so brilliant as always... creating an awareness of the global warming and it's disastrous effect on all living beings. Who knows..maybe more disasters to follow...a Fav...God bless... ~ Ani
Pandit Avatar
February 17, 2022 at 5:43 AM
Thank you Ani for your wonderful, insightful comments and the FAVE. You are always inspiring when you visit--much appreciate. Many thanks.
Dietrich Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 8:48 PM
BIG congrats for your well deserved win, Vijay it is so interesting to see the different interpretations of this topic.
Pandit Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:43 PM
Much appreciate Andrea. Many thanks.
Peck Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 5:34 PM
Thank you, thank you, Vijay! A few of us do write poems about Mother Earth's calamities, but not enough. I don't understand the hesitancy. Surely poets can hear her cries. It's a wonderful poem and congratulations on your win :)
Pandit Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:43 PM
You are so right--the earth is crying for help. Much appreciate your visit and comments Ann. Many thanks.
Legros Kelley Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 4:32 PM
Oh, hugs to you! I'm glad you placed high in a contest with this poem. I am almost swept off my feet with your valiant cry. Amen, Vijay. Great write.
Pandit Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:42 PM
So glad to hear from you BJ. Much appreciate your complimentary remarks. Many thanks.
Alex Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 8:04 AM
Another beautiful work from you a master. Congratulations!
Pandit Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:41 PM
Thank you Christuraj--much appreciate.
Ibeh Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 6:24 AM
Heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest, Vijay:-) Your poem, as always, is exceptional! Your masterful writes always leaves me in awe.
Pandit Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:40 PM
So very kind of you Edward. Special to hear that from you. Many thanks for sponsoring contests and your cool themes.
Gentile Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 6:05 AM
I am certain that we humans are destroying our planet in an alarming rate and I worry for the inheritance of the children! So very well written is your thoughtful piece and a great entry for the contest! good Luck and Happy Sunday Vijay!!!
Pandit Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:40 PM
Thank you Mike. Much appreciate your visit and comments.
Sands Avatar
February 12, 2022 at 10:20 AM
Well written, powerful poem Vijay! I agree, with a comment that it is throught provoking. Good luck in the contest :)
Pandit Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 6:44 AM
Appreciate as always Heidi, your supportive comments. Many thanks.
Proxenos Avatar
February 12, 2022 at 6:30 AM
You rightly and eloquently and so very passionately write about the negligent attitude of us humans and the disregard we have for our planet to survive, for it will die, or fry, or drown, the land will be burnt, parched and brown. But even when we see these disasters within our own land or across the oceans, we say shame, now how can we help, we must to something but do we. A thought provoked poem, one that every person on this Earth should be able to read and digest. Hugs and blessings, JENN.
Pandit Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 6:44 AM
So very kind of you to say so my friend. Much appreciate your kind remarks, Jennifer. Many thanks.
May Avatar
February 11, 2022 at 11:05 AM
We have been warned and yet we ignore the warnings, Very nicely penned Vijay
Pandit Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 6:43 AM
Much appreciate Joseph--many many thanks.
Rodrigues Avatar
February 10, 2022 at 10:42 AM
Much imagery and chagrin developed here. Is there climate change…surely. In the 1970’s science told us we were approaching a second ice age. The earth does what it will…sometimes we play a hand. Your final verses call us to see…the apocalypse approaching. Well done, Vijay!
Pandit Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 6:43 AM
Thank you my friend for your kind remarks. Much appreciate your visit and comments.
Kannan Avatar
February 10, 2022 at 5:28 AM
A lovely poetry with great, poignant message... Thank you so much for sharing this powerful, thought provoking write...
Pandit Avatar
February 10, 2022 at 6:23 AM
So glad you stopped by with your kind feedback, Supraja. Much appreciate--many thanks.
George Avatar
February 9, 2022 at 8:12 AM
I hear the dire warning and am alarmed to think of the apocalypse waiting us so close at hand. Man will never learn and he continues to exploit and pollute the earth . You have powerfully cautioned us of the serious threat awaiting mankind. As ever your words speak aloud and can't be ignored.
Pandit Avatar
February 10, 2022 at 6:23 AM
Your thoughtful analysis is always on point, Valsa. Much appreciate your comments, as always. Many thanks.
Buhagiar Avatar
February 9, 2022 at 7:44 AM
So sad and all over the world notices were being given about receding ice, Great poem. Still no one bothers.
Pandit Avatar
February 10, 2022 at 6:21 AM
Thankfully there is awareness--may be actions will follow. Much appreciate Victor--many thanks.
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 9, 2022 at 6:33 AM
It is heartbreaking to see the greedy still polluting. Laws must change by demand of the majority who actually care about the health of our earth. ‘Raise your voice, shout aloud’ for us and our future beloved generations. Thank you for writing this important poem Vijay. Blessings xxoo
Pandit Avatar
February 10, 2022 at 6:20 AM
Thank you my friend for your thoughtful analysis and insightful remarks. Always a joy to read your feedback, Connie. Many thanks.
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