By the Time the Oceans Rise
By the time the oceans rise
to swallow Alexandria
I'll be dead. I can drink
the black gold Exxon serves
without a consequence I'll ever feel.
By the time the oceans rise
enough to force cartographers
to radically adjust the shores
across the planet splayed like fish
flesh drying I'll be dead and dust.
By the time the oceans rise
enough for Kansans to care about,
they will bemoan the lack of ports
and their lack of planning foresight.
And I will still be dead and careless.
to swallow Alexandria
I'll be dead. I can drink
the black gold Exxon serves
without a consequence I'll ever feel.
By the time the oceans rise
enough to force cartographers
to radically adjust the shores
across the planet splayed like fish
flesh drying I'll be dead and dust.
By the time the oceans rise
enough for Kansans to care about,
they will bemoan the lack of ports
and their lack of planning foresight.
And I will still be dead and careless.
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Like the repetition like a dirge and the carefully tight word choice.*
You care.*
First of all -fave *! Did you follow the story about the the Wyoming legislature voting down a proposal to secede from the United States and establish their own republic? It was nuts! One of the things that was in the works was the purchase of an aircraft carrier. I guess they're concerned about the seaport issue too! This piece says a lot about the incipient apathy that can be used as rationalization for not doing the right thing, because "why bother, I'll be dead by then." Must not believe in karma or reincarnation! ;-)
Thanks, JP, J. Mykell and Michael for reading and commenting. Your attention is appreciated.
The voice and rhythms here are effective, Gary.
"By the time the oceans rise
enough to force cartographers
to radically adjust the shores"
Nice work. Good form.
Gary this is such a good poem! I cannot bear to think of the outcome, though, of the oceans, because, possibly, just possibly, we may be back...
*
The repetition gives this a sort of tidal movement.
Very nice.
Thanks, Sam, Susan, and Sally for reading the poem and for your kind words regarding it. I am grateful.