navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #44 » Man’s Damned Machines
Open Poetry #44
Post A Reply Post New Topic Man’s Damned Machines Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218


0 posted 2009-03-04 08:19 PM


Brake and tire dust lay blanketing
darkened grass and tired soil.
Exhaust fumes thicken the air;
oil, antifreeze and waste gas seep
into Earth’s pores.
Motors  roar all around us,
toxic wastes; endless noises;
permeate our daily lives:
there is no escape.

Rusting hulks shed fragments,
dropped-off parts scattered along road sides;
fields and streams become waste dumps,
a hazard to all life
but the black fly and mosquito larvae.

The combustion engine stands guilty
of eating up nature's natural fuels,
but having done so, it too
vanishes on some lonely stretch of broken road;
under blackberry bushes in some abandoned yard;
releasing more toxins into the soil...
Yet, is it really that horrible motor
who is to blame for this horror?
Or lack of foresight and understanding?
And when, I wonder, will there be a change,
a change of heart and a change of pace?
While in the question mode, let’s ask one more:
Regarding change: when is too little, too late?

© Copyright 2009 Sharran WindWalker - All Rights Reserved
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 posted 2009-03-04 09:26 PM


Yo WindWalker,

I never seem to have enough change.

Let’s always remember, machines are innocent of everything.  They are victims.

This poem is well put together, and I got a kick out of it.

Bobby

Blood.Wolf
Member
since 2009-02-09
Posts 54
GA, USA
2 posted 2009-03-04 10:37 PM


Machines are innocents; MAN is guilty, in my personal opinion.  But it is a beautiful write, and it caused me to dwell on the faults of machinery once more.

“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack."
~Rudyard Kipling

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
3 posted 2009-03-06 07:42 PM


Did you know that for every quart/litre of gas your automobile burns it also consumes 2200 quart/litre of air. Sucked down into a combustion chamber and turned bacl out into the atmosphere as a gas poisonous to humans.

Nice write. Important things to think about.
Man is quite short sighted in his  perception of how his inventions will work out sometimes.

Eric

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
4 posted 2009-03-06 07:55 PM


I am such a hypocrite! I concur with everything you have stated ~ Yet, I can't give up my car! I will say this, about that! ~ My next car will be as 'green-a-machine', as is available!

Another well-written, provacative write!


Linda

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
5 posted 2009-03-07 09:16 PM


This 'write' is reminiscent of H.D. Thoreau (in another century)
jousting with the steam locomotive and similar attendant
environmental and philosophic issues!

applause!

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
6 posted 2009-03-07 11:25 PM


Someone should have had a nice talk with Henry Ford all those years ago...James
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
7 posted 2009-03-08 03:18 PM


Looking at the situation we're in, too little may be too late now. Plenty to think about here, WW.
                               Ida
                            

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #44 » Man’s Damned Machines

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary