Thank you to Linda at TeacherDance who is hosting and rounding up all the poetry goodness in the world today.
We have to very important days back to back this weekend. Today, students around the world are leading the way with a Climate Strike. I hope that those who need to listen and act will do what is right. As Greta Thunberg said, “We must listen to the scientists.” Today’s actions by our youth reminds me of the first Earth Day in 1970. It guts me to think we have been at this for almost fifty years and we still aren’t doing what is necessary to reduce our carbon footprint.
Saturday, September 21, is International Day of Peace. Did you know this day was established in 1981 by the United Nations? More than ever we need peace.
climate strike
our world in peril
leaves changing
the heart pleads
one last thistle, the slug begs
complex ways to peace
© jone rush macculloch (draft 2019)
Jone Rush MacCulloch 
Wish our way to Peace wasn’t complex–telling poem of our times, thank you for it Jone!
What a combination — climate strike and Day of Peace. We’ve got lots of work to do, us humans…
our world in peril-YES I have hope, Jone. On Friday, NYC children were released from classes to attend the Youth Climate Strike. Heidi and Michelle K wrote about this today and I sent a quick write poem out on Twitter. Tagging you and sharing this post on Twitter…
“It guts me to think we have been at this for almost fifty years and we still aren’t doing what is necessary to reduce our carbon footprint.” Me too.
Jone, I love the way you wove these two special days into a lovely poem. This is a new-to-me form. I look forward to trying to write one!
I finished ‘The Overstory’ recently & connect here with your pictures & poem line “leaves changing”. After reading it, I find I am continually wondering “What do the trees think?” Lovely and aching post, Jone.
I just finished The Overstory too. Haunting.
Jone, this poem is so effective! I love it! I especially love the personification of “the slug begs” and “the heart pleads.” Is this a certain kind of form or concrete that I don’t understand what it’s a picture of? I love “leaves changing”, too! The first time I read it I thought of the beauty of leaves changing colors. The second time I read your poem I thought “leaves changing” can also mean as our world becomes hotter because of climate change, this effects what kind of trees will be able to grow. Of course, I thought of the maple trees that grow here in the Northeast that have brilliant colors when they change, but may not withstand a warmer climate. I have read that scientists have predicted we will lose sugar maple trees because they need a cold climate. I don’t know for sure about the red maples that are already changing or the other maple trees.
Thank you. The poem form is the Spanish shadorma with a 3-5-3-3-7-5 structure.