Glaciers Are Weeping

For thousands of years, ice giants were sleeping.
But now, these dense “blue ice” glaciers are weeping.
Warnings that in many ways bear repeating.
Global climate change speeds glaciers’ retreating.

In Alaska and Glacier National Park,
The melting of ancient glacial ice is stark.
Half the world’s glaciers – in Land of Midnight Sun*, 
But in Glacier NP**, soon there will be none.

Years hence, will Alaska have any at all?
Loss of these ice bodies a clear wake-up call.
Value majestic Alaska, like Seward***?
Care for glaciers; each of us a good steward?

Alaska’s Exit Glacier – leaving for good?
Will black stone stand where Blackstone Glacier once stood?
In Montana, Blackfoot Glacier shrinks each day.
The other twenty-four headed the same way.

Glaciers’ demise may get more than them crying.
Their loss may mean earth’s human life is dying.
Glacial and polar ice death no mystery;
If we do nothing, glaciers are history.
Signed, Saddened for the Sobbing, Shrinking Glaciers

6/1/2017

* Alaska is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun.
** National Park is often abbreviated “NP”.
*** Then U.S. Secretary of State, William H. Seward, negotiated the United States’ purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

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De Beaulieu Avatar
August 9, 2019 at 12:20 PM
Hello Bartholomew Williams, yes it is sad to see the glaciers melting. No one knows how to save them. The weather is changing whereit was cold to warm how do you change that? No one knows. have a nice day my friend.
Williams Avatar
November 2, 2019 at 8:49 PM
Hi, Darlene. Thanks for your kind comments. Please see my response to Geoffrey below. I am convinced & confident we have the technological know-how to solve global climate change. But to do so, we first need to objectively look at the hard data/facts, acknowledge the issue, and work together in a reasonable, fair/equitable (i.e., no nations slacking at other countries' expense), affordable, and sustainable way. We can solve this, but we need to remove the politics and have the will. Again, thanks for your time and thoughts.
Brewer Avatar
August 9, 2019 at 9:36 AM
Glaciers have come and gone time and time again over the aeons, with little or no interference from mankind. It can be sad to see much-loved environment changing and disappearing, but this is the nature of Mother Nature. Who is to say that the present is the ideal? Some beautiful words, Bartholomew.
Williams Avatar
November 2, 2019 at 8:43 PM
Thanks, Geoffrey. A big difference from prior times (e.g., dinosaurs) is the 7.7 billion people on earth & counting. That's a lot of homes being heated, cars, pollution, industrial activity, etc. Global temperatures have been rising steadily. It's reasonable to believe we are contributing. I worry we'll reach a point where it cannot be reversed. Neither extreme (Green New Deal = unaffordable/undesirable socialism on the Left vs. complete denial) solves the problem. We can solve this issue if we remove the politics, honestly look at the data/facts, and have the will to solve it.
Dietrich Avatar
February 3, 2019 at 8:10 PM
Very well done, Bartholomew. Congratulations on your win. Rarely do we see climate change written of. I love how well this poem's content supports the heart-felt title.
Williams Avatar
February 3, 2019 at 8:20 PM
Thank you very much, Andrea!! I really do appreciate your meaningful comments, especially on this topic of critical importance to all of us. And you're right - it is easier to write a personification poem when one really believes in and feels it. Thanks, again, my friend. :) Bartholomew
Toney Avatar
February 3, 2019 at 8:04 PM
Bartholomew, thank you for highlighting this global disaster in the making. Man is truly ruining the Earth. I appreciate your listing specific locations; and the alliteration in the final line emphasizes the urgency of the situation. Congratulations on your win on Mile 15 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest! Thank you so much for supporting my contests. By continuing to place in the contests you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark
Williams Avatar
February 3, 2019 at 8:24 PM
What can I say, Mark, except that your comments truly reflect that you get it? You're welcome for shedding some attention on this. I think if we all step up in our own ways, we can address this issue, but it will take real sustained effort. We didn't get here overnight, and we won't solve it overnight. Thank you for caring about this and for sponsoring. All my very best to you! :) Bartholomew
George   Avatar
May 25, 2018 at 11:54 PM
You...dear Bartholomew...are a poet in the true sense of what a poet is. Your poems have such meaning and cause one to stop and ponder. Such powerful messages you bring. I look forward to your next poem. Sincerely, Elaine
Williams Avatar
May 27, 2018 at 11:55 PM
Elaine, thank you so much for your sincere compliments on my work (a labor of love, really)!! I truly appreciate you taking the time to really read my poems and provide such encouraging, thoughtful, and kind comments. Thank you again. I will read some more of your poetry soon, as I have truly enjoyed and admired what I have read so far. All my very best to you, my friend! :) Bartholomew
Krampe Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 4:32 PM
Just seeing this now, Bartholomew. This is such an important issue. I don't get the climate change denial at all. Thanks for writing this.
Williams Avatar
January 3, 2018 at 5:43 PM
You're welcome. Thanks for commenting. I also don't get the denials. The scientific data, observable evidence, and all other credible indicators are crystal clear: our planet is heating up significantly. Anyone who truly cares about Earth and the world we’re leaving to our children, grandchildren, etc. ought to be concerned and try to do positive things to improve the situation. Thanks for caring!
Dietrich Avatar
December 4, 2017 at 11:47 PM
Finally read your reply to my comment. Thanks, Bartholomew.
Dietrich Avatar
December 2, 2017 at 7:49 PM
and yet I still have a staunch Trump supporter friend who claims false news is making up stories on global warming and that supposedly scientists are lying about this stuff so they can get the Americans to pay all kinds of money into it! But isn't it seen with the naked eye what is happening to these glaciers. I just don't get it. How people can say it's all made up! I enjoyed your poem, Bartholomew.
Williams Avatar
December 3, 2017 at 8:35 PM
I wrote this poem the day (6/1) Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement. I believe in every word I wrote, and wrote it as a protest poem. Be assured that sound environmental stewardship is a core value of true conservatives, who believe in (among many other principles) conserving and preserving our environment for us and future generations.
Williams Avatar
December 3, 2017 at 8:13 PM
Thanks so much, Andrea, for coming back to read my poem! :) I truly appreciate it. There is a mountain of scientific data/evidence showing our world is undeniably heating up. The only real questions now are: 1) is it bad (I believe it is), 2) what is causing it (I believe the main cause is human activity), and 3) what can and should be done about it?
Wanter Avatar
July 15, 2017 at 6:12 PM
Facing this is almost overwhelming! You wrote it so well.
Williams Avatar
July 16, 2017 at 6:28 PM
I agree that this is a pretty sobering subject. Thank you very much, Sunlite Wanter, for taking the time and care to leave a positive comment. I appreciate it. All my best to you! :) Bartholomew
Roth Avatar
July 4, 2017 at 9:36 AM
This is a poignant poem.
Williams Avatar
July 4, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Thank you very much, Alex, for your thoughtful comment. Best wishes to you. :) Bartholomew
Barden Avatar
June 30, 2017 at 8:45 PM
Beautifully penned poem on an issue dear to my heart ... very creative and superbly phrased - loved it! Congrats on number one, Bartholomew! :-)
Williams Avatar
June 30, 2017 at 10:06 PM
Thank you very much, Greg! I am grateful for your positive words and support. I really like your new poem, "Firm Family." Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment on my poem! All my best, :) Bartholomew
Nusker Avatar
June 29, 2017 at 10:51 PM
An awesome poem on this issue. I wish this poem gets an exposure it deserves. Congrats on your win.
Williams Avatar
June 30, 2017 at 10:11 PM
Afzal, thanks so much for your uplifting words! I sincerely appreciate your positive comments. I like your verse poem, Morning Delight. It was a pleasure to read! You have my very best wishes. Bartholomew :)
Rodrigues Avatar
June 29, 2017 at 7:51 PM
Bartholomew, this was definitely one of my favorites! I have seen this glacier reduction first hand, having hiked the same Alaskan glacier twice. Congrats on you win in my contest!
Rodrigues Avatar
June 30, 2017 at 10:12 PM
Your welcome! It was well written and thought provoking!
Williams Avatar
June 30, 2017 at 10:02 PM
Thank you very much, Kim! I appreciate your kind, supportive words and that you can personally relate to this unfortunate tragedy happening before our eyes. Thanks so much for sponsoring the Landscapes contest and helping my poem get some good visibility. :) Bartholomew
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