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Open Poetry #37
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Midnitesun
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Gaia

0 posted 2006-01-15 08:53 PM


Meandering neanderthals we are.

Stomping over hedgerows and forget-me knots
As if they belonged to our feet

And where HAVE all the wildflowers gone?
Oh yeah, they left
Trapped within the bills and wings
    of the extinct birds

Have you ever hiked the hills and dales,
gotten down upon your knees to say
Oh my God! Oh my God!
to pray each seemingly insignificent blossom survives?

In haste and waste we plow the fields under
Spreading our barren manure thoughts
As if progressing forward is more important than
Preserving what we were given

Old Chief Seattle talks to me sometimes
And  I find myself apologizing
for the mountains of plastic we seem to cherish
more than Appalachia, the Pyrenee’s
or the almighty Rockies.

And I pray for God's creature the caribou
as they stare down at me in disgust
while grazing the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
(probably wishing all our cars
would turn to rust
and our deserving bodies
into ashes and dust)

And oh, my God, I just have to ask,
when was the last time
you sat down quietly
and watched a robin
pull spring from the soil?



© Copyright 2006 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
Earth Angel
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Realms of Light
1 posted 2006-01-15 10:55 PM



An important, and powerfully presented, message! Your conservational voice rings loud and clear ~ and I always listen! ~ Now if only EVERYBODY were to do so!

We should stop and smell the roses ~ and protect them!

Love & Nature Light,
Linda


OwlSA
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since 2005-11-07
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Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2006-01-15 10:59 PM


Oh, oh, Sunshine!  I love this more than you can know!  It is just up my street - and you put it so beautifully and poetically.

The only thing I don't agree with is that I don't think the caribou look down at you (or anyone) with disgust - I think they SHOULD look at us like that, but although I have never seen a real one - just pictures - I think they (and all animals) are too benign and trusting to do so - which makes us, the human race, all the more disgusting.

Thank you so much for this.  The title swept my finger into clicking on it.

- Owl

OwlSA
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3 posted 2006-01-15 11:05 PM


Oh, and I understand why you said we are Neanderthals, but I think that the Neanderthals would have understood better about preserving the species they simply used as needed.  If only we could reach the level of civilisation of the Neanderthals, or as I often say, if only we could reach the level of civilisation of the Vervet monkey (or for that matter, any other gregarious animal).

- Owl

Midnitesun
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4 posted 2006-01-15 11:05 PM


Thank you for reading, Linda.
I started to write something about frogs, but the whole thing croaked itself to extinction when I hit the wrong key. Next time, maybe.
But there are millions of environmental issues to zoom in on, each worthy of our attention.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

Midnitesun
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5 posted 2006-01-15 11:11 PM


OWLIE, you are so wise! I had a similar thought once about those ancient N's, and almost didn't add that sentence into the write, not wanting to slight those that walked terra firma before us. But I love the way it flows with the word meandering. LOL.
And those bous ~sigh~ we just have to draw the line somewhere, or there will be no parchment worth drawing on in the future.
Thanks for reading and offering a stimulating reply!

poe
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since 2004-09-06
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Heading to China
6 posted 2006-01-15 11:21 PM


A beautiful write. It spoke to my heart with its words, in away that only the sun normally does.
You have outdone yourself here. Abosuletly magnificant.

Tomorrow comes for those who fear it.
Today never ends for those who live it.

Midnitesun
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7 posted 2006-01-15 11:26 PM


C'mere for your hug, poe. I am so glad you took the time to read this. Thank you, for the warmth you always share.
Goldenrose
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since 2003-05-30
Posts 3665

8 posted 2006-01-16 05:06 AM


Such an important write kacy, if humans all thought like you the enviroment would be a place we could enjoy for milennia..not something to worry about NOW!!!...thank you...

Goldenrose.

Desire for nothing except desirelessness,hope for nothing except to rise above all hopes, want nothing and you will have everything.avatar Meher Baba.

littlewing
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since 2003-03-02
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New York
9 posted 2006-01-16 10:36 AM


God, you know, this made me want to cry for humanity.

Oddly enough, it reminded me of last time I were at the Falls and everything is so busy and touristy there and out on a field, away from everything, I watched a family of Muslims lay down their prayer mats in the middle of all of this insanity and give thanks.

it was a most beautiful sight.

As is this.

Martie
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10 posted 2006-01-16 12:52 PM


Kacy

"Have you ever hiked the hills and dales,
gotten down upon your knees to say
Oh my God! Oh my God!
to pray each seemingly insignificent blossom survives?"

Yes, I sure have, but I also know that our feet can make them grow stronger, and distrubute their seeds into places they never dreamed to be.  

Hugs you, for this passionate right write!  


Dominique-Simone
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since 2005-11-12
Posts 643

11 posted 2006-01-16 12:57 PM


And oh, my God, I just have to ask,
when was the last time
you sat down quietly
and watched a robin
pull spring from the soil?


What a fantastic ending it gave your poem a great voice.

ice
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since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
12 posted 2006-01-17 05:59 AM


­"This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected like blood which unites one family. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. "

Seattle -1853

True this, "this we know" and yet we ignore the wisdom in the quote....

And the wisdom in your song, Kacy...This poem demands I keep the war paint on my face..To continue the fight, against all odds against me...until I am dust...and then who will pick up the lance? Will their be others, young, who feel the need to forever be thrilled by a Robin pulling spring from the ground? My faith is , is that there will be...

This poem strummed the heart strings in my breast,, and my breath, as I read it, blows soft flute notes over my soul.. you knew it would, many of your poems have that effect on me...

­­Namaste_____  ___ice
­          ><>

Midnitesun
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13 posted 2006-01-17 12:20 PM


Thanking each of you, for your warm responses to this.
Ice, thank you for the quote, which emblazoned itself deeply into my grey matter the first time I read it.

Gentle Spirit
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since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

14 posted 2006-01-17 07:40 PM


Your words always reach just the right places within me Kacy...
our thoughts often run along the same lines...

Yeah, I believe I told you how much of an honor it is to be your friend,
and If I didn't??  I am now...  

steavenr
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since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058

15 posted 2006-01-17 08:00 PM


loved the title...drew me in... but the lines:

"As if progressing forward is more important than
Preserving what we were given"

are the ones I liked the best...they made me think...

Midnitesun
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16 posted 2006-01-17 09:09 PM


hugs to you, sister Donna
Steaven, thank you for pointing out lines that 'impacted' you

Constance
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17 posted 2006-01-17 11:44 PM


Loved the whole of it, but the the last two lines were dynamite!

Great message, great poem.

smiles,
Constance

Mysteria
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18 posted 2006-01-17 11:50 PM


One of your best lady!  I loved it, as you know my days are full of robins pulling strings of Spring

Carpe' Diem

Midnitesun
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19 posted 2006-01-18 12:32 PM


thank you Constance!
Sharon? I know you enjoy watching those spring pullers

luminosity
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20 posted 2006-01-18 05:47 PM


wonderful write, there are so many blessings that we are robbed of by the thief of 'too busy'
OwlSA
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21 posted 2006-01-20 11:41 AM


Yes, Midnitesun, I can understand.  I love the Neanderthal line too.

- Owl

OwlSA
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22 posted 2006-01-20 11:42 AM


ice, I just loved your response!

- Owl

Marge Tindal
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23 posted 2006-01-22 08:58 PM


Kacy~

'I just have to ask,
when was the last time
you sat down quietly
and watched a robin
pull spring from the soil?'


I just love the ALL of this ... but, to answer the poetic question ... today, Kacy, just today~

The Florida weatherman/woman was soooo good to us ... and yes, there were Robins on the lawn~

Thank you for sharing this ... hopefully we all will work together in some capacity to bring this earth back to what she once was ... changed, no doubt .... but hopefully someday to wear the wreath of abundant attire that once crowned her in glory~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~


~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -     noles1@totcon.com   

garysgirl
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24 posted 2006-01-22 09:33 PM


I am so glad someone brought this back up, Kacy!!
It is beautiful...and so very true.

I especially love your ending here....

And oh, my God, I just have to ask,
when was the last time
you sat down quietly
and watched a robin
pull spring from the soil?


Hugs, my friend
Ethel

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