March 12, 2013
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A Natural Worship
They are simply there to be revered
Creatures of air of water and of earth
Osprey seal raccoon - Each is affirmed
As surrogates for personal rebirth
He was a paradise child - Astonished wonder once
Bargained down through generations of neglect
To a not-too-much-time-left ambivalence
A ravaged heritage now left unchecked
An innocence defeated by intolerant rush
To ruinous subjective senseless gain
As manifested by a plastic beach and other trash
Scattered by wind and tide on miniature plain
Pure glaciers once crept from sunless north
Marbling ledges to childrens' "Golden Stairs"
Bright shining silica now splits the granite lith
To mark the ancient march from arctic spheres
With each inevitable rounding of earth's star
An ephemeron of poisoned dust obscures its light
And will slowly stain once-lustrous air
Into a gangrenous and suffocating blight
Yet despite slow desolation of their ken
The natural children sing a measured truth
Sleek seal - swift osprey - bright clever coon
Unhurried melodies that sound a steadfast faith
Comments (2)
I particularly like how, in the last stanza, unsuspecting animals convey an image of optimism. Also, "not much time left ambivalence" I take as an oddly positive thought (as in glad I won't be around to see it happen) that has occurred to me more often as I age. By the way, I wrote my poem several years ago after a natural disaster. Now I'm not sure which one. I appreciate your visit and comment.
Another lovely poem from the heart. The last stanza is brilliant.
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