What Price Progress

There once were hoards of fish in the sea
That laps our local shores
Then they built a Nuclear Power Plant
Now the fish are there no more,
As the Power Plant site increases in size
The fishermen’s livelihood heads for demise.

There once was a hive of industry
In the centre of our town
Then they built a couple of superstores
Now the heart of the city is running down,
With more and more superstores being proposed
Will city centre commerce draw to a close?

There used to be fields at the city’s edge
Where as kids we would spend all day
Then they built estates of affordable homes
With only their streets for the children to play,
As each new house gets its foundation
More land is stolen from the next generation.

There once was fuel in abundance
Which we used without thought or care
But emissions have thawed the ice caps
By causing ‘holes in the Ozone Layer’,
As the glacial landscape melts into the sea
Polar Circle wildlife will inevitably cease to be.

There has to be change with progress
As life irrevocably moves on
Perhaps now its time to pause and take stock
Before all that we take for granted is gone,
For what is our gain, is our children’s loss 
As progress continues, but who knows at what cost?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Tugaff Avatar
March 13, 2010 at 1:48 PM
Nice and interesting poetry, well deserve to be featured. Congatz. Ernilando
La France Avatar
March 12, 2010 at 7:16 AM
Congratulations on being featured this week.. Constance
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
March 11, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Congratulations on having your deeply felt poem featured this week. It is an amazing write. God be with you. Thanks for sharing. Lovingly, Dane
Brown Avatar
March 8, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Congratulations on your excellent poetry being featured this week Janette. Love, Carol
Austin Avatar
March 8, 2010 at 6:21 AM
As example - in Denver, the fields where we used to go hiking, looking for wildlife are now, for miles and miles, built up with businesses and homes. Where does the wildlife go? They're gone for good. Congrats on this feature. Love, daver
Strand Avatar
March 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM
Congrats on your feature poem this week Janette.Rgds Brian
Sweetheart Avatar
March 7, 2010 at 8:24 PM
Congrats janetta on your featured poem on the Soup this week.. a wonderful choice to share with us all..luv.. Linda-Marie.. hope u are doing better today...
Fraser Avatar
February 17, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Full of messages in this piece Janette, its poems like this that need to be read by the politicians >> lovely read >> James
Spears Avatar
February 3, 2010 at 6:55 PM
Very nicely expressed. Several here on Poetry Soup have this theme. Someone ought to have a contest on this subject. Did google your city. Wish we had even one piece of history like your castle in my areal. Happy Writing.
Shango Avatar
May 1, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Nostalgic, educational, and a true nature warrior ... we must come to a balance which is sustainable for our survival. Love
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