planet earth

planet earth

---------

never send to know
for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for [me]
---Donne
---------

I see morning sky
the color of revenge

I know
I know
how
it plots

trees whip to and fro,
whisper
behind my back

I know
I know
how
they plot

grasses roundabout
harbor
poisoned plants;
they hold their eyes
on me,
dare
to be eaten

yawping birds inquire
of me
in their fierce
rhetorical
scold:

"What?!
You still here?
Alive yet?
Aren't we done
with you?!"

I know
I know
how
they plot

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: USA

Comments

purplemoondoll

17 years 6 months ago

The colour of revenge. I

The colour of revenge. I love that opening line. I also like this stanza grasses roundabout harbor poisoned plants; they hold their eyes on me, dare to be eaten The hidden perils of the beauty of nature. The repetition really works here. Very well written Chuck. Kaz It's impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside.

barbsdad2003

17 years 6 months ago

I tried to ...

get across the idea that Nature's become pretty fed up with humans; and her beauty, as a result, has turned ugly, even threatening. At least at times. We're not welcome. Here. Where. We. Live. And I think deservedly so. Esp. when we habitually disrespect/disregard the needs of Nature ... and the nature of things in general. Thanx, Chuck PS: My reference to "poisoned plants" is intended to mean poisoned by humans ... through air, groundwaters, rain (acid and otherwise), various -cides, fake plant foods (read: chemical fertilizers), perhaps rampant antibiotic-proof E. coli, for a few examples. Ad nauseam.

whitetea

17 years 6 months ago

>

i love the awareness you have in this. your eyes are unlike anyone elses, you both comprehend see so much around you and not just in this piece. beautiful and almost haunting.

themoonman

17 years 6 months ago

Chuck...

great poem... Kaz and Whitney are both right! the repetition in this poem make it hauntingly real... as the bell tolls... for each, soon enough... Richard

barbsdad2003

17 years 6 months ago

Thanx

Wasn't sure this'd work. Took a chance (I thought) on the posting of it. You guys get it. Thanx for that, Chuck

infinite_dwarf

17 years 6 months ago

Chuck

I really like the line about the yawping birds. For me, the repetition was like these birds (buzzards maybe?) just circling overhead squalking. Waiting for expiration. Nicely done. (of course, most birds would see butterflies as a food source too - be careful wee one!) ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- - "Everyone needs to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer!" - "Due to budget cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off."

weirdelf

17 years 6 months ago

oh Chuck, I have felt this!

and have felt like shouting out, hey, its not so much me, its the others! I do my bit! But I would know I was lying. Even if I did all I could, I would still be part of the problem. cheers, Jess

Janice Pearce

17 years 6 months ago

Chuck

Oh what a beauty you have written here! My favorite: "trees whip to and fro, whisper behind my back" "There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you." Will Rogers