I’m not very good at doing that.
Push me in the pool, I’ll thrash,
come up choking and spluttering
frantically. After even a short walk
I’m puffed, stopping in my tracks
to wait, bend over, gulp new air.
It doesn’t matter, I tell myself;
the whole panorama of Nature
does the same. I hear the thunder
blundering about in the dark,
enraged by its own clumsiness —
yelling, then pausing and gasping.
I imagine the whole world is old
like me, and having the same
trouble breathing — but perhaps
I am mistaken, perhaps it’s only
humanity which is on its last gasp,
and the world is still young in its time.
I’d like that. I want it to last longer,
to be rid of the harm we have caused.
I want it to go on eternally. Then
I could be resigned to my own death.
Might I return to see it thrive again?
If only! But I won’t hold my breath.
Written for Friday Writings #51 at Poets and Storytellers United: 'Holding your breath.'
Breathing certainly does become a bit more laboured with age and yet I hope we and the Earth will continue to take long, steady breaths for some time to come - Jae
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I hope so too, Jae!
DeleteIt's old, but I expect it will heal itself when we're gone. Nature doesn't need us. That's such a depressing thought. The way things are are making my daughter question if she really wants bring a child into this mess.
ReplyDeleteI love the thunder blundering around!
Yet, many generations before us have also wondered if they should bring children into the various messes that pertained then. And enough of them did that the human race continued ... for good or ill. I'm glad Nature doesn't need us. I wish more of us realised how much we need Nature!
DeleteLove how this poem expands from the narrator to the whole earth... doesn't seem like we're working towards undoing the harm we've caused with any urgency...but thunder enraged by its own clumsiness made me smile!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo, alas, those of us who would like to do that work urgently are not the ones in power.
DeleteI think we are all (well, maybe not all, there are skeptics) holding our collective breath to see if the planet will itself continue to breathe.
ReplyDeleteNot only the skeptics – there are also the despairers who have given up hoping.
DeleteWe take it for granted in youth. Breath .. the very essence of human life, yet we are making it so much more difficult for ourselves to breathe.
ReplyDeleteIt astounds me that so much is still taken for granted by so many.
DeleteYou are reminding me to let out my breath following the U.S. election and the slide towards authoritarianism. The plunge in the pool also speaks to me.
ReplyDeleteYou and many others must have been hoping to breathe easier instead! I can only hope it turns out not to be as bad as you expect. Last night one of our TV channels here showed The Breakfast Club, which I never miss a chance to watch. For the first time ever, it seemed somewhat dated. I realised that, while humanity seems to be on a downslide from the values I admire, in many respects we have simultaneously and paradoxically been travelling in the other direction also.
DeleteThis is a poignant reflection on mortality, resilience, and humanity's connection to nature. The struggles to breathe and move are contrasted with the timeless power of nature, highlighting the fragility of human existence. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I very much appreciate your appreciative comment.
DeleteYes, i am struggling for breath these past few days. Racking cough, runny nose. Probably the flu (maybe the covid). Staying home, resting, not much good news lately. AArgh!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that, my friend. I myself have recovered well from all the recent health challenges, and my wish is that you will too.
DeleteEven though humanity seems intent on destroying this planet I have a hunch nature will win the day and will be here long after we have gone.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. In truth, I believe that too.
DeleteRosemary, this is a stunning poem. A work of art. A broad smile from me as I read your description of thunder. I also want this world to exist as far into the future as it can ... and I end my comment with a HUGE exhale.
ReplyDeleteOh, Helen – to see ourselves as others see us! I thought this was a fairly pedestrian little piece, but this comment and those of others have pleasantly surprised me. Thank you. And I'm glad we're all still breathing for as long as we've got, individually and collectively.
DeleteThe fastest way to restore balance to the Earth would involve a massive correction of human overpopulation. From "we must destroy the Earth to feed the billions!!!" to "are there even millions left any more?" I'm not sure anyone wants to survive that. But some of us might. I'm not holding my breath!
ReplyDeletePK
Yes, it seems much too late for that — although perhaps Nature is trying, with COVID and such.
Delete"perhaps it’s only
ReplyDeletehumanity which is on its last gasp,
and the world is still young in its time."
Love this, Rosemary!
To repeat myself: If only!
Delete