This pantoum was an effort to try something new. When I go to an open-mic, I usually read something I have already worked on, typed into a Word document, and done some preliminary editing. I wrote this poem this afternoon, while waiting for the room to open, and read it straight from my journal. I really must work on my legibility…

God’s green earth is looking a bit worse for wear
battered by industry, choking on clouds
whose black and grey streaks are expanding everywhere
But we’re doing our best to save the planet—wouldn’t she be proud?

Battered by industry, choking on clouds
the infirm and the helpless fan out into the streets
We’re doing our best to save the planet—wouldn’t she be proud?
Ask the old woman on the sidewalk if she’s had anything to eat…

The infirm and the helpless fan out into the streets
along with a few brave souls demanding their due
Ask the old woman on the sidewalk if she’s had anything to eat
she might tell you

Along with a few brave souls demanding their due—
promised them, codified into law, threaded through loopholes wide—
she might tell you
if you ask her, how she struggled to reach this side

Promised, codified into law, threaded through loopholes wide
they’re not worth the paper they’re printed on
If you ask her how she struggled to reach this side
whereupon all her treasures were stolen

she’ll tell you they weren’t worth the paper they’re printed on
but she’s doing her best to carry on, proud—
despite all her treasures being stolen
Battered by industry, choking on clouds

she’s doing her best to carry on, proud
though she sees heartache and struggle almost everywhere
Battered by industry, choking on clouds
God’s green earth is looking a bit worse for wear

But we’re doing our best to save the planet—wouldn’t she be proud?

(2 March 2016)