we’re crossing the desert in sandals
across new Antarctica
camels follow with our packs
it feels like southern Florida
before the ocean rose and drowned
the people near the shore
and then receded sixty miles
creating quite a lore
to be recited by old timers
beginning with remember when
there was water in these here parts
now there’s sand up to our shins
we’d swim and fish—those were the days
they’d tell the children listening
to magical times when people were wet
coming from deep water glistening
It’s just a fairy tale, we know
the children refuse to believe it
like so many of us long ago
hearing the global warning bit
slow but sure the changes came
spring slush replaced the snow
low temps in seventies everywhere
and gale winds would always blow
but we were brave and kept our cars
kept digging for petroleum
concern belonged to the next generation
never mind the panic symposium
so here we are just like they said
dry and hot as old Florida
in our sandals with our camels
crossing the new Antarctica.
© 2019, Deb y Felio
Originally published on The Poet by Day
With this post we close our month-long Climate Action blog-series presented in solidarity with the world’s youth and with the many organizations that held events this past month. Our gratitude to and appreciation for the contributors to this series and our readers and followers. Together we rise in support of our beautiful blue-green Earth and our ability to survive and thrive here.
In the spirit of love (respect) and community
and on behalf of The Bardo Group Beguines,
Jamie Dedes
Founding and Managing Editor
The BeZine 