collage entitled “Eden’s Desolation” © 1996 — by: rob kistner
and so I stumble on
soul-stained
with the smudge of sin
drenched in regret
I stumble anguished
into this toxic nightfall
captive on this road to extinction
of my lethal human arrogance
prisoner of my duplicitous apathy
seeking forgiveness
*
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: dVerse
soul stirring.
We all share in that smudge of eco irresponsibility.
I wish more people saw this, Rob. Interesting that you foresaw it back in 1996, just like Shell and Exxon did (even earlier in their case). But unlike them, you care!
Yes Ingrid I do care and have since the 1960s when I first saw the rise in pollution occurring on this planet, and realized how few people were taking notice of the situation. At that time those who were so obvious in turning a blind eye were those who were most egregiously responsible for the beginning of the destruction of this beautiful planet — namely those like Exxon, Shell, and big pharmaceutical companies… the truly big polluters. It is nice that these huge offenders are giving lip service to trying to change the mess we are in, but I fear it is all coming too late!
love the surrender in this piece, Rob. Beautifully heartfelt
Thank you Rosemary I appreciate your gracious words!
I didn’t realize you meant this as an eco statement. I read it as a human statement. We are our own worst enemies concerning our minds, bodies and souls along the path from birth to death.
Our extinction will long predate the end of the Earth and IMO, we can’t take care of ourselves so considering we are the caretakers of the Earth is part of our arrogance. Apathy toward our natural world is terrible though. We certainly could be better ‘houseguests’.
The cadence of this poem is wonderful!
I believe the poem can be read either way, probably dependent upon whatever guilt or shame the reader may embrace. If you were a regular reader of my poetry you would realize that I do not believe the human race has any dominion over either the earth itself, or the animals that live upon it. Thinking that we do is the Zenith of human conceit and stupidity. However, I wholeheartedly believe we are responsible not to carelessly destroy this amazing gift, and unfortunately we are. That is our shared guilt and shame. Thank you Susan for your kind words regarding my poem.
I see from your collage this is a topic you have felt strongly about for many years – your poem reflects this ‘lethal human arrogance’ powerfully.
I have carried a broken heart regarding this disaster for even longer that that collage Marion, and sadly, we may be past the tipping point.
It’s our common apathy that is the worst sin I think.
Agreed Bjorn