We Mourn

Each delicious breath,
Every cooling drink.
I salute your passing.

Temperatures we enjoyed,
your breezes stroked my skin,
sunlight played softly,
green fields waved salutations.
I recognize your demise.

Unfiltered sunlight on my face,
the electric drone of insects,
the melodious aviary song,
the dance of sea lions,
the taste of spring water,
Gone in a generation.

The doe greeted me on my trek
to glacier-capped peaks.
Rivers ran cerulean 
reflecting a perfect sky.
I feel the loss.

Gentle rain-soaked pastures
with bouncing young sheep,
gleeful in life’s celebration.
Nature's bounty fed me.
I long for your joy.

We all do.

You splashed riches around us.
We met you with greed.
Overconsumed and ignored,
we changed you,
we hurt you.
We miss you.

An angry you remained,
not joyful, giving, or golden.
still you, but thirsty, lonely, dark.
Alone in your existence,
your children died around you.

You witnessed the deaths,
the floods, the fires,
the famines, the heat.
You mourned with us.

But we broke you, we killed you. 
Your evil twin remains, 
to punish us until a balance returns,
that might save a dying planet.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Beaufort Avatar
June 23, 2024 at 5:40 PM
Fran, this is really a remarkable poem. I think it portends what we have done and what we will face in the near future. The way you characterize and personify nature reflects much insight. Making this a favorite! I think many will not understand what you've written since it's a tough message to take in. I am delighted to leave this comment.
Delaney-Barron Avatar
October 8, 2024 at 10:41 AM
Thank you, Duke. Amanda Gorman said we should write the thing that we are afraid to say, so I've done that here. Not everyone will want to read this message, even my climate activist colleagues.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace