Notes About The Poem
7/1/2024 for What Are We Poetry Contest sponsored by Tom Woody

Where are We Going?

Hunted, gathered,
Now, humans reign,
Produce emissions -
CO2, methane,

Absorbing heat,
Driving storms,
Breaking all the
Climate norms.

Glaciers retreat,
Ice declines,
Ecosystems
Intertwine.

Coral reefs die as 
Tipping points are crossed - 
Mass extinctions, 
Thawing permafrost.

Collapsing currents, 
Can't count on
The rainforests of
The Amazon.

Infectious diseases,
Food and water scarce,
Should have honored
Agreement of Paris.

That's where we're going
But I have no fear.
My kid can worry.
I won't be here.

Credible education
To tell us how.
Behavior, policy - 
The time is now.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Wolf Avatar
July 3, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Yes, things are changing... And yet, like untold generations have met challenges, so can we. ~ gw
Crandall Avatar
July 3, 2024 at 7:01 PM
True, as a species, we've always prevailed, in spite of bumps in the road.
Greenhough Avatar
July 3, 2024 at 1:27 PM
More people would be environmentalists, if it weren't so exhausting. Obama said we can't go back, but it's the only way. More people equals more garbage. This is a very informative poem. I hope someone has the answers.
Crandall Avatar
July 3, 2024 at 5:28 PM
I'm yakking without adding any solution. Just thinking about this today - long ago, I invested my son's college fund 50/50 in a "socially conscious" (e.g., no tobacco) mutual fund, and a regular one. When he grew up, his socially conscious one was worth more. Maybe I can put my retirement money in an "environmentally friendly" mutual fund.
Dietrich Avatar
July 3, 2024 at 10:15 AM
Hmm not how I took the question but a very relevant way to do it, David
Crandall Avatar
July 3, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Haha, I think sometimes, the connection to poems and the prompt are a bit tenuous.
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