My gut is filled with something vile and foreign
my heart, slowly dying in despair
a large part of my body has been damaged
suffocating the very life that moves within me
I am forever changed, tainted, weighed down
choking and strangling, while among THEMSELVES
THEY speak of the toll this has taken on THEIR lives
THEIR livelihoods; or, THEY argue about the next
bandaid to cover the gaping hole, but there’s none
large enough to hide the huge terminal wound
inflicted on me; though THEY do not breathe me
in order to survive, nor do THEY dependably clean my floors each day
nor fly without wings through me, nor frolic and play
in my depths, nor flow peacefully with my changing tides
THEY merely take from me and use me for their pleasure and gain
I think to myself that THEY must not , cannot know me or care for me
for if THEY did, THEY would never have stabbed me the first time
But this, THEY did to me, and again, and many more times long past the first
with no regard for the poisons that might flow from those holes into my body
So, I no longer believe that I was ever revered with awe, as THEY stood before
my once vast beauty, or treasured me as one of nature’s remarkable gifts
for THEY have allowed this crude liquid demon to steal my soul
and now have left me for dead
for One Shot Wednesday
I am a life-long resident of the Gulf Coast Panhandle.
This poem was written with love for the Gulf of Mexico and it’s precious marine inhabitants, in sad response to the Gulf oil spill.
if crying would wash away all the horrors greed has created somedays I honestly believe mine would fill the ocean..I in no way can imagine what it’s like for those who live there but my heart certainly goes out to each and every one of you..this was absolutely a beautifully written heartfelt piece.
Thank you…so sad what greed and lust for power will do…thank you for the thoughtful comments and for coming here. Heartspell
Thank you for approaching such an important issue. And for using poetry to do it. I appreciate the intensity of this. – Bill
Thank you for your appreciation and interest in something dear to my heart….Thank you for coming here to read. Heartspell
Someone with your compassion and love does beautiful work when they express themselves …as you have. 🙂 Thank you for speaking for those who can not. 🙂
This is near to my heart and I love all of God’s creatures…so I will gladly speak for them, they are so dear.Thank you for reading and for your kind words. Heartspell
Seems I am always the last to comment (with the time difference +/-14 hours before you)
You did it again sweet Lady, I can almost feel your soul in this…..so full of emotion. You touch my heart every time I come here. Take care my friend x
Oh, I am moved to tears…yes, this love is part of my heart and soul and it does sadden me…I no longer watch the news because I tired of how everything was about business, or the politics of the oil spill, but never much about the sea life or the ocean itself…maybe it will be presented in a documentary someday for the world to see. Thank you for your thoughts and kind comments, as I said to Kavita, maybe someday the ocean will mend itself with no help from mankind. Heartspell
Great piece and full of emotions. We are far away from that place – but followed this tragedy on TV and my daughter had to write something about it in school. When she was doing her research, she started to cry..
I’m sorry that it brought your daughter to tears…it has done that to so many of us. Thank you for your comments and for visiting my blog. Heartspell
So full of emotions! You did it again girl! Like the rising tides, your feelings rise in this beautifully written poem. A brilliant tribute to the seas and oceans… If tears can move us so, I really do not want to imagine what its wrath can do to us !
Lovely one again, Heartspell….
Thank you, Kavita. This is close to my heart, as I live in the Panhandle of the Gulf Coast and have all my life. Thanks for your kind words. Heartspell
I hear you, heartspell.. and my heart goes out to all that was destroyed and that went wasted in the spillage… every creature, being, thing, and the magnificent ocean ofcourse… What a sad sight and thought!
What’s lost is gone, but I sincerely hope that what’s not yet lost, stays so!
(love and hugs)
Thank you for the sentiments, Kavita…it is so sad to know that man can destroy something so God-given and so beautiful, but maybe in time some parts will restore themselves as we do when we are injured. Hopefully… Heartspell
Great piece and – here the sea speaks to us – here we must look in the mirror because we are the THEY…..let us all learn what is at stake, let us learn we all play our part. enjoyed it very much…bkm
Thank you and glad you enjoyed, even though the subject is less than pleasant. Heartspell
Very piercing and well written. It’s ironic how often the perpetrators act the victim.
Regards …
So true…Thank you for the thoughtful comments and for taking the time. Heartspell
strong emotions here. intense bit of writing
Yes, the emotions are strong… therefore had to get it down and out. Thanks for reading. Heartspell
Such a tragedy that continues to impact all of life. This is just awesome writing that evokes so many emotions predicated on disaster. As you point out, nature’s gifts are being desecrated beyond recognition. Powerful poem.
cheers
Thank you for the sweet response and kind words. As a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast Panhandle, this is very close to my heart and thus, my grief over it. Heartspell
I could walk in the shoes of each words you used in portraying this image and I say, it is not a good feeling to be in at all…I hope it is only Poetry…Nicely written and I wish you well my friend. Cheers!
It is sad poetry of true events that tug harshly at my heart. Thank you for the well wishes and the same back to you, Emmanuel. Thanks for reading. Heartspell
a heartpuller as it just makes me sick to even think of…i am glad they have it capped but there is so much still to be done…thanks for linking up with oneshot!
You are welcome and thank you for taking the time to read…I’ve lived in the Gulf Coast Panhandle all my life, so it especially pulls my heartstrings…I love all of the marine animals; dolphins, sea turtles,fish, rays, and the sea birds; gulls, pelicans, terns,cranes; and am in awe of the beautiful, beautiful ocean…I’m pouring out my heart here…Heartspell
Dark, delicous and direct
Thank you for your time and your comment. Heartspell
wow..that was an intense ride..i somehow felt your rage at the BP oil spill in that one…and i do not blame you…i still cant believe how long it has been allowed to go on…hey you will get me started…thanks for sharing with One Shot cheers Pete
It is very sad indeed…I’ve lived along the Gulf Coast my entire life, so it is especially close to my heart…Thanks for reading. Heartspell