Outrageous
•
watch them
see them
in their cavernous dwellings
shrines to excess
to waste
testaments to foolish disregard
for our precious planet
observe them hoist themselves
to command positions
in gluttonous drive-time dinosaurs
dreaded treaded behemoths
that bully across the face
of our crippled planet
devouring resources
like a herd
of metallic mastodons
a relentless forage
of fragile fossil fuel
to suck dry
the paleozoic nectar
300 million years
in the making
a fraction of that
in the plunder
and depletion
by frivolous toys
of self-extinction
that spew forth
poisonous discharge
fouling the atmosphere
pummeling our frail ecosystem
shoving earth closer
ever closer
to the brink of no return
to satisfy a toxic desire
for bigger
gaudier
faster
hungrier
to feed
a caustic ego
to assert
perceived dominion
they are the elite
the special
the outrageously dangerous
they
are you and I
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
I do marvel at the use of words and the ablity of people to come up with some pretty brilliant work.
Yours is no exception.
This is an outstanding piece. I particularly like the prehistoric motif running through it. Here we are, citizens of the modern world, acting as if we are mere creatures living in caves who don’t know any better. Our inaction is inexcusable. I hope we haven’t left it too late.
such wonderful imagery. different. but so accurate.
thank you so much for all the encouraging words. its exactly what i need. someone to push me to do better.
Steve –
Thank you for your kind ‘words’…
Selma –
I’m very pleased you enjoyed this… 😉
I too hope that humankind is waking to the very real urgency of our current situation. We need to be responsive, because arrogantly refusing to do so will be our downfall — but we can be so prone to our misguided ego.
I think there are enough voices of concern that a bright future is coming.
San –
You are kind, thank you… 😉
You have talent and simply need to challenge yourself to keep gradually lifting the bar — you have the tools and the soul to do so.
This is the best yet! I read it aloud to Otto and he insisted on my immediately printing it out so that he can keep it. He would like to know if you will give him permission to use it elsewhere, with author and copyright credits of course.
After you commented on my Sunday Scribblings post, I added another portion (of Prose), telling of some of Otto’s activities. Look him up on Wikipedia under Otto J. M. Smith, for a fuller profile. Also, if you are not averse to letting us know, he requests your mailing address.
Congratulations on the poem that says it all! It reminds me of my favorite quote – from Walt Kelly’s Pogo – “We has met the enemy and he is us.”
I guessed that was coming – ‘cos it’s so true!
we are dangerous.. just was reading about the huge glacier that broke down in antartica recently, does scare me a lot..
Oh my! Such vivid pictures in my head!
This was an outstanding piece, linking references to prehistoric times and what we are doing now
The heedless way in which we are destroying nature for selfish purposes needs to be checked, am so glad you put this across in this piece.
I think most people agree we’re polluting the earth but people bitch about the price of gas rather than stop driving or do anything of consequence
I just moved to a state where they don’t even recycle–would make it my cause but I have too many others
Very forceful and timely 🙂
a relentless forage
of fragile fossil fuel
perfect!!
I’ve been outraged by so many things lately it was hard to pick out just one! A good post!
“paleozoic nectar” is a great phrase… like the rest of the poem too but this stood out for me
Rob, it feels so good to be back and read your work. So many great pharases here. I love all of those!
ctrl/alt/del
excellently executed… and if the powers that be would start backing instead of blocking the implementation of alternative power sources,,, the size of the vehicles, etc.. would become inconsequential…..
for example:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiKa4nOkHLw
So true! I’m guilty and ashamed..
A very effective rant! I love the use of alliteration in here!
“like a herd
of metallic mastodons
a relentless forage
of fragile fossil fuel”
I was reading right along thinking, yeah, that’s right, and way to say what’s happening to the earth, and then the tables were turned, and I had to admit, the narrator is right. We are all a part of the problem.
Great description of SUVs, and excellent manipulation of sound.
Amazing what we’re all capable of without even realising
Rob you keep on amazing me with each of your poems. I don’t always comment but know I love your work.
love-bd
Great use of imagery….
in gluttonous drive-time dinosaurs
dreaded treaded behemoths
that bully across the face
of our crippled planet
– favorite lines.