What Do We Teach the Future Generations?

a new kind of lesson 

for a planet 

slowly being derailed

by the very people 

in power 

the very people

who are supposed to be

acting as the guardians 

for the people - us

for the earth - our home

for the future - generations

if I look into the future 

I see 

an industrial wasteland 

it came to me in a dream 

I floated though 

a world in desolation 

a world caught up in moving forward 

they/we forgot to 

sit 

be still 

acknowledge 

the direction chosen 

is wrong 

we hear the cries 

of mother earth 

but we continue 

to mine 

to frack 

to chop forests 

to add toxins to 

the river 

the air 

the lungs 

of all species

we see for ourselves 

first hand 

the effects 

of our actions 

yet 

we continue to 

rape

pillage 

from this land

rejecting 

the 

oneness

unity 

life force 

vitality 

encompassing all 

we know its wrong 

I mean 

come on 

black and white 

is how I see it 

surely 

none of this is 

rocket science 

yet 

we don’t make the changes 

screaming at us in every direction 

we continue to think 

for ourselves 

for our community 

for our state

for our country 

but NOT for the planet ……

I make the call of truth

the human race is 

stupid

arrogant 

ignorant 

self serving 

the people in power 

weak!!!

Oh where have all the Warrior’s gone?

I call out in vain 

but none appear 

and so 

the lesson I wish to teach 

future generations 

is to 

accept 

the demise 

of our home 

and accept 

my apology 

for not being able 

to do a better job 

as caretaker 

of your home

yes yes 

better to accept 

if we are not prepared to

band together 

and fight the good fight 

that has an essence of 

oneness

unity

love 

all I ask 

is to be the first generation 

to LEARN 

oh now there’s a word 

LEARN from our mistakes 

in your continual progression 

forward

the earth 

our home 

is facing the dire 

consequences 

arising out from our own stupidity 

the way we are going 

it won’t be saved

you - our children 

will be forced to live 

with the 

devastation 

ruin 

wasteland 

that was once our beautiful home

so yes 

better to learn to accept 

things the way they are 

for in your acceptance 

peace will be waiting 

for peace is always waiting 

for those who truly understand 

what it is worth fighting for 

evolution will continue to flow on 

and we shall flow with it 

in whatever form 

it would be nice to know that from here

we can learn to manage 

paradise 

somewhere 

in the river 

called 

eternity 

Reviews

[C.R. Miller]

Nice work. The reader is almost forced to either agree with the cynicism or seek to dismantle it. It's almost as if the piece follows the Kubler-Ross model, the grieving is definitely there.

Counter Points & Thoughts:

- We are too caught up with placing blame on others. What one may see as arrogance, selfishness, stupidity and ignorance, another may see as an innate survival instinct which all lifeforms possess. A lion only seeks to protect his pride. Even plants battle each other, seeking to starve out competition but playing nice with seeds from the same mother. That being said, those in power are definitely not weak. They are just warriors of a different sort, spreading their roots underground to ultimately change the terrain above.

- Learning, 'to manage paradise somewhere in the river called eternity' is more difficult when there are multiple Gardens of Eden from which it flows. Evolution is like a tide. What's brought in with one wave, is dragged away by another to either be set right back on the shore or lost to the current. I'm not sure how we can find peace by accepting what's along the bank. Maybe it's easier by accepting that we never truly know what the next wave will bring.


All in all, thought provoking and effective poem. You should check out Vonnegut's 'Galapagos' if you haven't already. It's an interesting take on the follies of mankind and how they may unintentionally save our paradise.

[KWP]

Interesting thought patterns here and something I will ponder on ...

I do disagree I think the leader are weak especially when they are manhandled like marionettes by those controlling the $ - but I totally understand what you are saying and I still think it is weak to sell your soul.

I was thinking about Vonnegut last night so I guess I need to read that - thank you

Oh and the acceptance thing - well that more runs in line with Everton will continue to flow on - with us in it - in some way shape or form - human life is fleeting - existence shall endure

Thank you again I really appreciate these words - they cause me to think further deeper - I like that Xxx

[Einstein Noodle]

balance,
balance,
balance.

no denying the truths in what you say ... its the dark side of industrialization .. but one must admit to a bright side as well ... ;)
E.

[KWP]

Oh I know E - the scales tipped it's true / I did have a dream of desolation and I was just left thinking of the children - there is always an upside and thanks for the reminder - LOVE x

[Einstein Noodle]

love you K! ;)

[A. Amos]

Well it's a fucked up world we are living in...human life stands no value...planet no one even have time to think about it. Your writing as always is spot on!

[Beccy]

Even those that destroy, (mostly for the sake of profit,) know and understand the damage they cause. Our three score year and ten is hardly a blink of the creator's eye, but the damage such people cause is incalculable.

But of course, we are all guilty, if only by default; it's that aberrant gene our creator slipped into our makeup, perhaps even deliberately. Man's 'reign' over this lovely place will not last forever; and just as it has done before, this little blue dot WILL recover and mankind will become no more than a bad memory.

We serve the future badly. Beccy.

[KWP]

Hey beccy / some great thoughts here - thanks so much for the read it was a lengthy one x

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you said it all right here in this poem...people today are so self-serving...especially our so-called protectors...

well expressed...

what will be left even 30 years from now?
the wasteland you describe.

[sereenaoutloud]

You worded this perfectly my friend. I agree with it all. I dread to think what my children and their children will be left with if we do not change out greedy, selfish ways. We abuse our home the planet earth, we take her for granted and once day she will say enough is enough and fight back and when she does ...we will all feel her wrath!!! She will need to cleanse herself of us all and start over if we do not start helping restore her back to health!! (sorry i always talk about earth as a 'she' )

[KWP]

of course our mother earth is a she - for they are the goddess nurturer's - seriously !!!

Happy Earth Day - I am off to hug the ground.