Teeter Totter - Unfccc Cop15
[Written in December 2009 while at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen]
The plank is of a long, strong wood
With edges round for measures good
Small steady steps the toddler walks
While politicians stall the talks
Three fifty steps the child takes
He still is safe despite mistakes
But stands around the tipping point
The world is lacking efforts joint
Teeter toddler on a see-saw
Looks around his world with awe
He won’t see the world we know
His children won’t make balls of snow
Nor will they shriek with sounds of glee
At the base of a mature sequoia tree
The child takes a few more steps
Three eighty now the child preps
He braces now the plank just tips
Foot raised mid-air he nearly trips
He’s left his parent’s binding arms
His siblings now cry in alarm
Loud voices raised the leaders hear
The messages we chant are clear
Still balancing one foot in the air
Do leaders have the will to care?
And then to act in united haste
I fear our votes have been misplaced
Footing down, he sheds his tears
He’s heading down towards his fears
Urgent action is his need
He wishes leaders would succeed
In finding words that all endorsed
With rules and visions well enforced
His parent’s arms bind him once more
And guide him to his place before
Before he made those last few choices
Now that he’s safe his world rejoices
So that is all we really need
Decisions made in spite of greed
Where different voices will unite
Survival after all’s a right
Society is young and yet
It’s frailty we can’t forget
For we’re not all that we affect
And if we stall, we’ll all regret
Now is the time for us to act
We need a more effective pact
So let’s unite the world again
And ‘seal the deal’ in 2010.
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