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Open Poetry #47
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Word Weaver
Member
since 2011-03-06
Posts 437
California, USA

0 posted 2012-01-07 12:20 PM



“Landscape of Tomorrow"
(based on what I see happening in my community)

The once silky, verdant grasslands of our majestic mountains
Now but gouged, raped testaments to the greed of man
Venerable, trees planted by nature, forever their grandeur felled
Disenchanted, frightened songbirds abdicated to unfamiliar lands

Greed plants its stakes of tomorrow, twigs of a fine Chardonnay
Watershed now depleted, some winter’s floods waiting to take
What remains of our once beautiful and protected valley
Now a landmark sacrificed for new vintages and fames sake

They’ll plunder and toil then reap their selfish harvest
As we watch their progress with heartbroken sorrow
Another disfigurement of Mother Nature’s artwork
Those vineyards of greed, are our landscape of tomorrow

Where once small children in delight watched the wildlife
Will soon stand palatial tasting rooms for the palate’s delight
We have evolved into the new wine country of California
The heritage we shall leave our children

What a shameful, pitiful slight

© Marcia Miller-Twiford



[This message has been edited by Word Weaver (01-07-2012 12:57 PM).]

© Copyright 2012 Marcia Miller-Twiford - All Rights Reserved
jjote
Senior Member
since 2002-12-25
Posts 1088
Ontario, Canada
1 posted 2012-01-07 12:52 PM


"twigs of a fine Chardonay"---I like this quote, though it's a sad vision alas! for a future landscape..we truly hope the builders of our tomorrows will leave some part untouched for our children's heritage.

Nice write.

ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
2 posted 2012-01-07 06:04 PM


This eye opener must return to the top..
For natures sake..only one reply?

I saw this happen around where I grew up, and it sickened me enough to seek refuge in what is now my mountain home..

I can relate to this poem very personally.

Now they have discovered natural gas where I live...and grapes where you do..We both circled by greed, but greed will never take the wilderness out of me..

I think your poem yerns for that wilderness, and it crys loudly that it is being extiguished..

plaintive, excellent poem...thank you


secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
3 posted 2012-01-07 06:09 PM


bravo!  grand-fine and important 'write' !

Throughout most of my 1,000 poems, I have tried to give a 'voice' to Nature and her 'stewardship' ...

it is sad that most folks might 'hear' but seldom truly 'listen' to environmental geologists let alone poets!
[Here in the lovely 'endless' mountains of Penna. they are now practicing the 'new wave' of land rape by
'cracking' the Marcellus Shale (and other such formations) for Natural Gas] ... individuals and nations
that fail to learn from history truly ARE doomed to repeat it (apparently until we manage our own demise
as a species if not an almost total destruction of the biosphere)


ebonygirl
Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000
California U.S.A
4 posted 2012-01-07 11:16 PM


Word Weaver,
Your voice speaks truth. I am flabbergasted by what is allowed in our county to be done for a profit.
Thank you for your poem.
Ms. E

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
5 posted 2012-01-08 12:54 PM


Such a sad but important write, Marcia. I saw this sort of thing happen where I grew up as well. The Northwest was once as close to paradise as one was ever going to get, now it is barely recognizable as the a place I once knew. Sadly, we will reap the bitter harvest of careless and greedy behavior.
                                   Ida

tracie66
Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713
Australia
6 posted 2012-01-08 03:37 AM


a sad and true write, most of us all round world can relate as this is happening everywhere - well penned!

Love is the life of the soul...
It is the harmony of the universe
                        — W. E. Channing

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
7 posted 2012-01-08 04:45 PM


Such a significant write, dear Marcia. Savage exploitation is  a terrible plight for our Earth!

Margherita


JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
8 posted 2012-01-08 08:38 PM


Let us pray this is the year we leave this place.


JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Alison
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!
9 posted 2012-01-14 02:03 AM


What a sad and important poem.  This breaks my heart.  You wrote it well, Marcia.

A

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
10 posted 2012-01-15 02:53 AM


Oh, Marcia, This depicts so well the ravaging of our beautiful California landscape.  I remember working on a pipeline that came through the Tehachapi Mtns as a youth and how it just sickened me to see the blatant disregard for nature, and all in the name of the almighty dollar.  Mankind is the enemy, sadly.

Michael

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
11 posted 2012-01-16 01:21 AM


From your pen to everyone's awareness... beautifully written truths that need to be acknowledged!

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
12 posted 2012-01-16 02:12 PM


Oh, Marcia, I ache for the desecration of such beauty.  It scrapes the inside of my heart, that people, especially in this day and age when ignorance about this is impossible.

The problem is worldwide, and here too, but in mitigation, in and around Durban we have many, many nature reserves - one is about a kilometer, maybe 2, away from me (not counting my indigenous forest garden) - and for many years now in the city, they are linking up the green spaces with nature trails.

Owl

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