What if……
Al Gore had been elected, back when,
and had legislated standards
to address climate change,
when there was still time
to reduce our emissions,
slow the heating and the melting,
…….......?
Al Gore had been elected, back when,
and had legislated standards
to address climate change,
when there was still time
to reduce our emissions,
slow the heating and the melting,
…….......?
What if…….
a giant cloud in the sky
suddenly turned into letters
that said:
“To save this world,
you must do
this
and this
and this………….”
a giant cloud in the sky
suddenly turned into letters
that said:
“To save this world,
you must do
this
and this
and this………….”
like the wildfires
and storms and floods,
wild animals and bees
and birds and fish
are saying now........
and storms and floods,
wild animals and bees
and birds and fish
are saying now........
Would we do it?
Or continue happily
ignoring
that we are
sitting in a pot
whose water
is rapidly coming
to a boil?
Or continue happily
ignoring
that we are
sitting in a pot
whose water
is rapidly coming
to a boil?
*** *** ***
What if………
years ago,
I had stayed with him
and ridden out the two years
till all of our acting-out teenagers
had left home…..?
years ago,
I had stayed with him
and ridden out the two years
till all of our acting-out teenagers
had left home…..?
What if Monday’s scare
was the bell tolling
“not much time,
not much time,
not much time?”
was the bell tolling
“not much time,
not much time,
not much time?”
What if
you gave it
everything you had,
all your life,
and no one noticed?
you gave it
everything you had,
all your life,
and no one noticed?
for Susan's big "What If" at Midweek Motif, which made me ponder some burning questions. Don't worry. I'm okay. Just barely. Cackle.
Wow! Yes, and yes--excellent questions--the world would be so different, and maybe the individual life much harder. If no one notices? I, too, struggle with that question, which is really laughable, when we are doing what God/Spirit/Life needs us to be doing in the world. The only recognition truly necessary is seeing glimpses that our efforts make a difference in other's lives--animal, vegetable or mineral! Whew! Look what your poem touched off in me! lectures! Sermons! I think I'll go write a poem.
ReplyDeletewell, glad to hear that you're okay - even if "barely" .... hang on there, my friend.
ReplyDeleteand what if?
what if things, events circumstances had been different? personal, political - but ultimately, we make choices, decisions, and have to ride it out ... for better or worse ....
and well, I have to say, I really like the second stanza - the idea of a giant cloud that spells it out ....
how many would notice? how many would "see this a sign" and then, would it *really* matter - because isn't this about interpretation? would it become a babble of tongues and choices regardless?
but still ... I like the idea of a giant cloud saying : hey, you, down there - specifics and details count ....
but then, as you ask, in the end ... what if you gave it the best of yourself and no one noticed?
yeah, that's a rough tough sentiment ... and unfortunately, it happens all too often ....
and I know it all too well.
so now, that I am both elated and defeated, I will say: thank you - and wander way to consider the storm clouds outside (it's suddenly "night") and smile in my heart, at the image you've offered of this big cloud "spelling it out" - just as it is, without any further thoughts of "what if" ... in the interpretations or possibilities.
I am smiling. Great comments, friends! Thank you! It is my online friends who really keep me sooooooooo thankful. Poets are the ones who truly see me. And I you. Because we read each others' hearts.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I absolutely love; What if… a giant cloud in the sky suddenly turned into letters that said: "To save this world, you must do this".. such endless possibilities come to mind when I read this! Gorgeous write, Sherry!❤️
ReplyDeleteYes, so many "what if's," your named some very good ones!! I have gone back to blogspot...wordpress too much trouble.
ReplyDeleteAh, glad that you're okay and cackling, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteSuch ponderous questions that suggest a mind always on the roll, wondering how things could get better. I am touched by the last one : "What if/you gave it
everything you had,/all your life,/and no one noticed?"
It pricks me because I so resonate with the thought of it. Perhaps if we are noticing our own endeavors and acknowledging our own struggles, that may be enough. Our own adherence to our life may be enough. I wonder.
-HA
I agree, Anmol. We know who we are and how hard we try. Sometimes, that has to be enough.
DeleteHumanity has a habit of doing things too little, too late and then somehow coping with the consequences. But I think we are at crisis point now and it is time to do something radical rather than sit back and watch hoping it will all go away.
ReplyDeleteLuv the shape of this poem, from the real to the surreal
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday Sherry
much love...
Aw... It's for the poets to read the Giant Cloud's letter and interpret (Such a marvelous thought). Your last stanza set me thinking. I think nothing escapes His / Her notice, though Monday's bell is a bit scary. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteI really love how this one goes from the communally natural to the naturally personal. The last what if digs deeply... and makes think that the most important someone--the one giving her all--would notice. The rest? Well, that's always a gamble.
ReplyDeleteYes maybe if Al Gore had been elected...maybe! But the scariest part is right at the end: What if
ReplyDeleteyou gave it
everything you had,
all your life,
and no one noticed?... I've thought about that often and tried to come to terms with it.. life perhaps is not meant to be fair.
So many questions remain unanswered, but yes we can give our all without anyone knowing about it.
ReplyDeleteSherry I love the way this ends. And our fervent hope is that someone does notice. Well done.
ReplyDeleteOh that last stanza is so sad. It has inspired me to write a poem .Goodness has to be its own reward here on earth.
ReplyDeleteAnd what if Sherry had been born as a boy :))
ReplyDeleteLOL. Nope. Happy being a woman! So nice to see you, my friend.
DeleteYes, the last stanza was so striking. I enjoyed this very much.
ReplyDeletewell written Sherry...poetry does have an opening for catharsis
ReplyDeleteSherry, most of your questions, I don't have an answer to, which sadden me. Wondering, how many people and other beings are senseless killed, due to ignorance and fear.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to contemplate a political what if. We will never know. I love the idea of the giant cloud proclaiming what we need to do.
ReplyDeleteSo much wisdom in your questioning 'What If's' Sherry.
ReplyDeleteSometimes (re politics and climate change) I wish we could turn the clocks back, but I reckon there is a high chance nothing would change as there is money to be made in ignoring what is.
I am so so glad you are okay Sherry, even if just barely. The just barely makes me wonder if all is well? Do hope so.
The kindest of regards
Anna :o]