Join the Neopoet online poetry workshop and community to improve as a writer, meet fellow poets, and showcase your work. Sign up, submit your poetry, and get started.

Mother Earth

Submitted by Lavender on Wed, 2022-08-17 10:05

What shall we say to her?
What words might bring comfort,
offer explanations, excuses?
She will turn hot and dry,
she will turn dark and joyless,
then she will simply turn away.

We will be on our own
as she secludes her province further from us,
draws her own heartbeat closer to her chest,
wipes her wounds with the little remaining
sustenance we left on her floor -

where we dragged our feet,
where we spit to make mud,
where we abandoned broken leftovers
we no longer enjoyed.

She will not ask for any
explanations,
excuses,
no empty words.

She will simply turn away.
And that is the reason she shall survive.
And that is the reason we shall not.
***

Style / type:

Free verse

Review Request (Intensity):

I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Last few words:

Jacques Cousteau tried to warn us. Carl Sagan tried to tell us. David Attenborough and Jane Goodall try to educate us. There is still hope and time.

Editing stage:

Editing - rough draft

Content level:

Not Explicit Content

Comments

Rosewood Apothecary

Wed, 2022-08-17 16:40

Yes!

Brilliant. We’re all thinking it. Those of us with conscience.

Love the whole thing,
Tim

Rosewood Apothecary

Wed, 2022-08-17 16:40

Yes!

Brilliant. We’re all thinking it. Those of us with conscience.

Love the whole thing,
Tim

Lavender

Wed, 2022-08-17 17:05

Hi, Tim,

Lots to think about, and a lot to do. Thank you for reading!
L

author comment

Geezer

Wed, 2022-08-17 19:57

Lots to think about and a real lot to do! We do still have time, but not much; it will take generations to bring Mother Earth back to where she was before we really screwed things up. It can be done; we just have to be willing to face the hardships that are required! Everyone must be willing to give up things that cause our world to be sullied. There can no longer be a few people that won't be bothered because they feel entitled. Nice job in making some of us see that! ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Lavender

Wed, 2022-08-17 20:53

Hi, Geezer,

You are right! It will take generations, but I am so encouraged and impressed with the intelligence and compassion so many of our young people have. There is much we can do individually, and every small act makes a difference.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
L

author comment

Jackweb

Thu, 2022-08-18 15:33

The metaphor of Mother earth!

Mother earth (or mother nature) is symbolic of the environment from which life thrives. It’s symbolic of nurture and growth and how the earth looks over us and provides life. It’s a feminist symbol and earth is more naturally referred to as her/she in alignment with mother.
.

"By virtue of creativity, my literary genre is poetry".

~Jackweb

Lavender

Thu, 2022-08-18 21:06

Hi, Jackweb!

Yes, it's interesting to refer to the Earth as "Mother", or "she/her." For me, it's soulful and spiritual. Hopefully we can reciprocate and take care of her as she has cared for us all this time.
Thank you for reading and lending your thoughtful comments!
L

author comment

lovedly

Thu, 2022-08-18 15:52