This post to the Forum from Pam Kelly was hidden away as a comment - I've started a new poetry thread so that more people may see it
"Here is the poem I promised you.
NO BUTTERFLIES
"But that was in the days
when we had butterflies"
said the grandmother in
the TV play "Years after Years"
set in the future. I cried.
Part of me died when I heard
those words, and still they go
round and round in my head.
That night in bed I wondered
how many more insects, birds
and animals would become
extinct in my lifetime.
What have we done? We had
so much; an abundant earth
with water, sun and the fresh
green beauty of grasses, plants
and trees. We must act now.
It is our duty.
captures it perfectly, Pam and Rachel
thank you Rachel for highlighting Pam's piognant contribution - I am currently working on a series called Humans of XR Shaftesbury documenting the friendly, inclusive, creative, authentic & diverse members of both XR Shafesbury & PS which will go live on both XR & PS fb & ig in the coming weeks once it has been collated & curated. Pam has very kindly agreed to be the first profile featured & this is her creative contribution for the series. If anyone else is keen to be featured please do get in touch with me either here or ig or via email etc , I will be making a forum post about it too after the bristol protest this saturday is out the way, I'm busy making placards! :)) I'm hoping people will want to get involved - the more the merrier & we will then have a beautiful visual collective documenting our friendly , growing and inclusive community! I hope to get some editorial space for us when it is finished! <3
Here's one I wrote a few years back. Sadly, not yet out of date...
For Sale
quiet location on spiral arm of the Milky Way
well presented, detached planet
seven spacious and charming continents
set amidst rolling, cerulean oceans
heating system in need of some renovation
ideal first time investment for extra-terrestrial species
with suitable technology and know-how
to stem a rampant excess of carbon dioxide
methane, nitrous oxide, ozone…
the whole, roiled gamut of greenhouse gases
fantastic opportunity to restore
depleted, misused, natural resources
scattered fragments of once vast rain-forests
homelands engulfed by rising seas
and the vestigial remains of polar ice-caps
potential to update and extend
vastly depleted wildlife species
compromised attempts to establish
sustainable industries, renewable energy supplies
and responsible agricultural development
this planet enjoys an elevated position
with outstanding, panoramic views of the universe
an elegant world, with versatile accommodation
previous owners
now deceased
Not poetry as such but my rewrite of Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are a-Changin' has been requested, so
come politicians and industrialists
it’s time that you all began to admit
so much you have done hasn’t helped us a bit
and there ain’t no use in denyin’
you’ve sunk us all deeper and deeper in shit
for the climate is a-changin’
young people, school strikers, take it to the max
for none can afford to sit back and relax
as those with the wealth they falsify facts
while their taxes they are avoidin’
it’s time to undo the way things are stacked
for the climate is a-changin’
come lovers of species so precious and rare
that will soon be extinct if we don’t start to care
for the planet we live on, its seas and its air
why can’t we all just start sharin’
without exploitation what’s left of what’s there
for the climate is a-changin’
come media people and BBC news
the time it is past for ‘exchanging views’
and tabloids that twist with the slickest of screws
it’s time you all started agreein’
our planet’s no longer a thing to abuse
for the climate is a-changin’
come folk who think your lives safe and secure
think technology will give us the cure
the affluent lifestyle’s not fit to endure
the changes we need to be makin’
and over-consumption must lose its allure
for the climate is a-changin’
bob said the line’s drawn, the curse it is cast
and he wasn’t kiddin’, it’s happening fast
diversity mustn’t slip into the past
our chances are rapidly fadin’
and anyone left will look back aghast
for the climate is a-changin’