Our Legacy on Earth

Recently I read that if climate change

Continues to progress unabated,

The existence of ONE in SIX species

On our planet could be ill-fated.

 

In other words, one in six

Of Earth's species could disappear

By the end of the 21st century

As conditions become more severe.

 

As extinctions threaten many species,

Experts exhort us to banish doubts.

Many can't adapt to heat waves,

Rising sea levels, and horrible droughts.

 

According to scientists, five mass extinctions

Have occurred since this planet's birth.

The NEXT one will be the first

Largely caused by humans on Earth.

 

Earth--five billion years of age,

And look at the effects of mankind's blight.

Actually, relatively speaking,

We have done this overnight.

 

Some people say, "Ah, whatever!

By that time I won't be around."

Do these people hear themselves

And know how stupid and selfish they sound?

 

If we want to save our planet,

We can't survive by constantly taking.

Mankind's modus operandi

Is to push to the point of breaking.

 

The future of Earth rests in our hands.

What do we want our legacy to be?--

Dwindling food supplies, political chaos,

Polluted land, a poisoned sea?

 

(5-22-15)

Reviews

[Andy Brown]

I'm not a big poetry fan, but I did find this piece very well done and enjoyable. I agree with a previous reviewer, this would be a powerful spoken piece. I could almost hear it as one as I read it.
Nice job!

[Armistead Lindsey]

have you ever thought of doing this as a spoken piece? I can imagine that it would be extremely effective when spoken