Saturday, August 03, 2013

594 : The Last Breath.


Sunday Whirl (Wordle #120) presents a list of words
that we must incorporate in a writing piece.  

The words this week are:

gravity, plans, thread, landscape, salt, breath, 
shadow, shoes, bread, sense, sends, head


The Last Breath.

Life on this blue ball 
Hangs by a thread.
It always has.

The window of suitable
Conditions for life,
For life as we know it, at least,
Is remarkably narrow.

And it is moving.

◊◊◊

The people have never really understood,
Never really sensed the full gravity of the situation,
Until now.  
And now it is too late.

Too late to deal with the dying landscape,
Too late to deal with the salty water,
Too late to store grain for bread,
Too late to make plans to head off the danger
Just too late.

Too late.

Death will stalk the land,
In flowing robes and fancy shoes,
Dressed to kill, as they say.
And kill he will.

Without a shadow of doubt.

◊◊◊

This sends, of course,
A warning to our successors.
If they care to listen.
.
---
© J Cosmo Newbery 2013
---


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30 comments:

  1. Cos, RIGHT ON. Eerie part is that Bush, the ultimate Fundamentalist president, completely ignored the EPA and threatened "global warming warning" scientists, all because GWB and his cronies were "oil men."

    GWB is so sure he was called by God (insolated little worm that he is, and dumb, too, thinking that a recovering user can drink N.A. beer) and just KNEW Jesus was coming soon anyway, so why not trash the planet?

    He's also a believer in Judgment Day. If there is one (I don't believe in it), he'll be standing in his tidy whities, waiting for the scewer and the apple in his mouth, because we are supposed to be stewards of this planet, and he was the exact opposite.

    Thanks for the snail comment, too! Amy

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  2. Will there be anyone to follow? I love the truth and clarity in this. and the use of the words are seamless. Dressed to kill, and kill he will. Sadly so. Too much consumerism and too many of us.

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  3. So then. Are the successors the rats or the cockroaches?

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  4. ...too full of our own self-importance... there's more to life... than just 'us'...

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  5. You did well to send a strong message so that things can still be set right.. well done..

    My wordle here..

    http://rameshsood.blogspot.in/2013/08/in-vast-landscape-of-myth.html

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  6. Dying planet. Sigh!

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  7. Just words, just silly words....who says they are important? Who will listen? Is it too late? Wonderfully done.

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    Replies
    1. No-one important. No-one. Yes. Thank you.

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  8. "flowing robes and fancy shoes" love the juxtaposition - beautiful, important poem and this image captures the sensual, spiritual convergence of what is and what is to come... Wonderfully penned ...

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  9. There is sad truth to you words. Beautiful and cautionary. Well done.

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  10. Ahh, but who will heed these cautionary words? Am beginning to think that no matter how many truly care, there will be far more who don't. Well written and timely,

    Elizabeth
    http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/cloud-shadow/

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  11. The mantra "too late" makes me sad...

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  12. We need to do that desperate turn around now as I believe never say die and when there is a will there surely will be a way!!

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    Replies
    1. The problem is, Nanka, that we have passed the point where 'will' can have an impact. Environmentally, the planet is free-wheeling and our ability to change that is passed. We can steer it but it is still down-hill.

      All that remains to to figure out how to adapt to the inevitable change. That will cost lives.

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  13. We have not taken very good care of our 'mother' and now, we will pay the price of neglecting to earth. How sad for our children's children. Well done JCN

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  14. Oh, my, strong, truthfully, terrifying poem as to the reality of using up our world. Powerful, and a sad situation, greed and avarice and convenience. We are all guilty. Well done.

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  15. We have a slim chance. That is if we start now and ignore everything the oil, mining and industrial lobbyists threaten us with. But first we must educate our own children about their future or lack of it as sadly their future will not be roses but a sewer unless things change soon. A timely post JCN.

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    Replies
    1. Pretty slim, I fear - at current pace we need over one and a half Earths to replenish current consumption.

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  16. Very good one Cosmo! It just flows logically and everything fall into place like clock work. Great take! The best of yours!

    Hank

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. I like it Hank, but I hope it's not my best.

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  17. Timely and dismal and I fear all too true, J Cosmo.

    Pamela

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  18. Replies
    1. Really? Thank you. Tell me more. In want way do you think that it is wonderful?

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  19. dear j.c. newberry ~ a timely and a tad fatalist poem, and of course so very true.

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  20. Wonderful read and sad too. Part of me hope some kind visitor from another planet will help us.

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    Replies
    1. Space Cadet Cathy! I hope you understand that this is not the strongest Plan B that you could come up with!

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  21. sustainable development comes to mind

    much love...

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