Earth is dressed in dark mourning clothes
desolation squats in foggy circles
under a stormy night’s lamppost
homeless heart sits on a crumbling curb
while sky’s tears slip over brim of hills’
piney lashes blinking at lack of stars.
Dark cloak of despair draped
over slumped-shouldered mountains
holding their breath while moon
hides her eyes behind a cluster of clouds
for fear of seeing what no moon should see.
Rivers run full and silent, collecting stones
to give to sea as succor for sins of man
who dammed earth’s dreams and broke her bed
with well-sharpened axe and toothy saw.
Silver caps and tropical fringes melt and faint
at such a heated greed. She tears a hole,
in Universe, with arthritic fingertips,
in case she needs a sudden and simple escape.
How low is hymn and hum
in raspy stillness of a near-dead night
wonderng what wild miracle will rise, red and angry,
if morning comes again.
Author notes
#8
Just been through the worst Nor'easter I have been in....it made me wonder how long earth can take what we weigh her down with....
In a list
A contest entry
- Inspire Me! Earth/Nature Poetry by iamlost.
600 points, ended April 22, 2007, 39 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Congratulations on second place with a shiny silver trophy! The imagery and especially the language of this piece spoke to me very deeply. You have created a truly beautiful poem!
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thank you so much iamlost...I could hardly stand to wait to fix the second to last line. I appreciate the trophy.
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beautiful, simply beautiful
This is such a deep and thoughtful piece; I was left breathless and saddened by your wonderful use of language and imagery to convey this thought of the raping of the earth by human hands and tools. Every word, line, and stanza worked together to powerfully place this thought in the heads of those who read this poem; marvellous job and brilliant write. Thank you for sharing this with me and inspiring me! -
"Silver caps and tropical fringes melt and faint
at such a heated greed. She tears a hole,
in Universe, with arthritic fingertips,
in case she needs a sudden and simple escape."
What an incredible voice you have, my Sister...What an amazing description for what this earth is currently experiencing, due to our neglect & abuse of her precious gifts...Ahhh, 'tis people like you that just might be able to save her...Good luck in the contest, my Friend... Wanda
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