We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

18.12.19

Escape




Escape

I am here with my family, away from the smoke
that increases the nearer you reach the Equator.
I am having a Christmas respite, pretending
that all will be well, and plans for the future
can come to fruition; this beautiful world
continue to nourish us, let us still flourish –
but no, we are ending, no lie and no joke,
and yes the world can continue without us
and better it should, for none can outsmart us
so well as we turn the jest back on ourselves.

This moment in time is peaceful and happy.
Everyone’s going about their business
as usual, as if we had years ahead of us. Christmas,
a time of feasting and family (and spending money)
will happen once more, as it has done for forever 
or at least a few centuries one way and another.
If it wasn’t so sad, it might be funny – but
soon there’ll be no-one around to laugh with …
and in that long moment the planet will sigh
and begin to start living without us. Goodbye.


Written in response to Poets United's Midweek Motif ~ Year's End; and, belatedly, for the previous Midweek Motif ~ A / The Moment. 
Thank you again for all your Midweek Motifs, Susan and Sumana.

(I sat down to write, intending my subject matter to be something quite different; but this is what arrived. I feel it is important that we not give in to despair, which leads to inaction and impacts the collective energy – yet this poem expresses undeniable despair.)

21 comments:

  1. " and yes the world can continue without us
    and better it should, for none can outsmart us
    so well as we turn the jest back on ourselves."

    The truths in this poem are undeniable and alive under the surface of the holiday cheer of anyone who is conscious. Let us then give in to the cheer and fill our hearts with love and loving. It is possible that overwhelming love may make a difference, especially when the youth of this world know that we know and will get back out there to make change, buoyed up by the unrestrained loving of time with family and friends. (Pray for us here in the USA, and I will pray for you too.)

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    1. Thank you for these wise and reassuring words! And for the prayers; by all means returned.

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  2. The NSW bush fires are scary, indeed, Rosemary. Everywhere the effects of the climate emergency are becoming obvious. But the world seems to go on, largely, unaffected. It really is depressing. I hope the joy of Christmas distracts you sufficiently from these woes.

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    1. I certainly am having a pleasant time, with lots of lovely reunions, and people looking after me. (Smile.)

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  3. " pretending / that all will be well,"...I won't say these six words are not scary. But what can one do? That's the space we've created for ourselves. In spite of all celebrations and all that we're heading towards the fate the poem at the end so well describes.

    Thanks Rosemary for this beautiful poem.

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  4. Things are grim. The world is ablaze. Politicians do not care. Yet there is poetry, and in poetry is comfort.

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    1. Yes ... in all circumstances, I wonder what people do who don't have poetry; how do they manage?

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  5. Yes, it is hard not to be despairing. The year comes to an end. The fires continue. Mortality is evident in so many ways. Sometimes it seems there is not much good to celebrate at this season which should be celebratory. And, no, there is not a lot of time left for some of us.....or perhaps for the world as we know it. I do wish you a happy holiday, Rosemary. It is nice to have this time of feasting and family & trying to concentrate on what is good in this crazy and so mortal world!

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    1. Thanks, Mary, for your kind and thoughtful words. Well, there is still escapism! Tonight the family is taking me to see the latest Star Wars movie – where I am sure the villains will be routed, good will triumph, and the Universe be saved!

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  6. I am with you, Rosemary, striving for hope, but noting the apocalyptic progression of crises and the complete and utter unwillingness to act by legislators. Humans are such that change needs to be legislated and power and money matters more to those in power than planetary survival. We learn the hard way. Your wildfires are terrible. I try to hold onto hope. But the inaction everywhere drives me crazy with frustration.

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    1. As Susan points out, our hope is in the young ... if only there is time.

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  7. Rosemary,

    It's hard to fully enter the olde Christmas spirit here too, with political turmoil, world weather destruction and all the other things being brought about by crazy world leaders.
    I'm sorry for the state of Australia at this time with those awful bush fires.
    I hope you find comfort in being with family and friends at this time, at least.
    Best wishes for Christmas and New Year, Eileen:)

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  8. This year has really shown us how foolish and careless humans are in caring for their only home. As good as it is to see such wonderful posts as this to be able to say I am not alone in the way I think. One is reminded particularly of mindless leaders scoffing as the sign of decay and destruction around the planet, the rising sea waters and of course the temperature rising.

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  9. Even through the despair, you still manage to bring out nuggets of truth and togetherness . Such is life- bitter and sweet.

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    1. Yes, I guess that's true, and we can but experience both, glad at least of the sweet.

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  10. *nodding grimly*

    This one hits me where I live; in perpetual despair. It's hard to remain Zen when faced with the enormity of it all. Guess we'll all just have to hug it out.

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  11. Very true.
    Agree with you.
    Without us, our planet can survive.
    We'll be gone, but it'll thrive!
    Happy New Year!
    It's Year End - Anita

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