High on Survival: Earth’s Toxic Reckoning with Man

Toxic Reckoning

A darkly comic environmental poem in which an abused and exhausted Earth turns the tables on humanity.

Abused by man,
Earth is depressed.
Exuding deadly toxins
Built up in modern years.

“You know what,” she said,
“To ease this ghastly stress.
I’ll devour all this ganga
Budding in Casamance.”

“Oh, my,” she said.
“I feel so high.
Ungrateful man,
Your end is nigh.
When you’re long gone,
I’ll still be fine.”

She burps.

A floral essence,
Dissipates
Into verse.

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More poems from the archive:

Gaza Sonnet

PLASTICINE ACTION

Sonnet for a Silver Bullet