We make a solemn promise
Taking care of that we found
We must consider we were calmest,
Forgetful as we came unbound
Nature takes its familiar course
We try in vain to reconstruct as
Mountains split the sea with force
A result of what we did unlock
Our careless ways turned land to ruin
We forgot our place among the living
Slowly watching futures loosen
We took too much instead of giving
When we reach the turning point
Hands outstretched to find the edge
Our splintered palms, bleeding, joined
A shadow of our former pledge
About the Creator
Barb Dukeman
An English teacher by trade, I’ve spent 32+ years in the classroom, instilling a love of literature (and a tolerance of writing) in my students. I started reading at the age of three and started writing at 13 with a poem about green socks.
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Comments (2)
I like the subtle references to the way humans treat the earth, and this is a powerful and topical message for today’s world! I liked this line “We try in vain to reconstruct”, as you do get a different meaning on the reverse read. Nice😊
Yes! We have to start doing better!