By Bernie Bell
Prompted by an on-line petition which has been launched by a group of Orkney activists, re. climate change and the effect our actions have on the earth, I’m sending this – a poem by friend Wendy, written when the Chilean miners were stuck down a mine, whilst across the world, others were trying to stem a gushing oil leak.
Deep Down
The earth is bleeding,
a deep puncture wound,
beyond reach of any surgeon’s hand,
gushing, thick, black viscous gore,
sickly slick, spreading,
more and more,
contaminating, clogging,
sticking to all
it touches.
*****
Small figures and crafts
scamper round the carnage,
like frantic ants,
whose homely mound
has been kicked,
burst open and
spread over the ground,
desperate to save
their babies.
*****
Chemically sprayed ,
the multiplying masses
are scattered
by wind and wave,
detergents disseminate
in swirling current,
no healing coagulates
can naturally stave
the process.
*****
Pathetic attempts
to stem the flow
repeatedly fail,
but, eventually, slow
then stop
the breach,
the cost, we know
will continue
to grow.
*****
Thousands of miles,
across sea and land,
high in the mountains,
deep underground,
another drama unfolds
to the world
a message of hope
cries out to be heard:
we 33 are OK in the shelter.
*****
Forget exploration,
forget exploitation,
there’s something more precious
to find,
a conduit, a channel,
a tunnel of light,
struck down through the earth,
on the tide
of human spirit
*****
A beam, a beacon
shining so bright,
it banishes the darkness,
puts fear to flight;
with faith
and patient dignity,
in the face
of such plight:
we, the 33, have returned.
*****
Two giant conglomerations
technological stratifications,
one drilling, through greed and pain,
one bringing to life, again,
death and life,
so closely matched,
desperate drilling,
down and down,
the need is great,
a powerful draw,
below the ocean,
beneath the ground;
a question
hangs over us,
now:
*****
Did we listen
have we heard
something shifting
conscience stirred?
*****
Remember the dead,
remember those saved,
pray that Humanity
will emerge from the cave,
and step
into
the light.
Wendy Alford October 2010
This banner was made by friend Sally and and her friend, Michelle, to take to anti-fracking demonstrations in London. Wendy and Sally share a concern and love for the earth, and connection with the earth.
It’s all to do with the Powers That Be, appearing to be hell-bent on destroying the planet, through greed – but plenty of folk are equally determined to stop them doing so, if at all possible. People Power.
You can access the petition, here ……. Declare a Climate Emergency – Orkney
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And there’s this………….
http://wileyearthpages.wordpress.com