Poetry: #74 What a Waste of Water (Demise 12)
And my thoughts after revisiting the words
What a Waste of Water
If the water was like land, I wouldn’t survive. The creature beneath me would watch as I die. My discombobulated mind is far from time. It won’t matter what happens now except a lie. The air is fresh but the water is sick. It is filled with so much it is thick. The waste of civilization, the fruits of our labor. At the surface pokes a small turtles’ head. It looks like it is breathing but it is dead. The truth was as repulsive as the reason. All the waste was this turtles’ poison, And I contributed to the manifestation that resulted in the death of an innocent creature that had no means to defend. And while I share the guilt no one seems to care, The knowledge that our sins have consequences, It now permeates the skin. It digs down in, and it causes us to live With the knowledge of all our sins. The water is oxidized with a firm wind, But that doesn’t mean that life will always win.
What are your thoughts on this poem?
My Thoughts on Demise 12
I remember writing this vividly. I was outside of my grandmother’s lake house in Michigan. I recall the filth of all manner of things in the water. The water did not look like one should swim in it; I’m sure it was safe… for the most part anyway, but I looked out at the water and saw a turtle’s head. I don’t think it was actually dead, but it brought about the thoughts of what happens when human waste, whether it be plastic or sewage or anything in-between, mixes with the wildlife in the water. That is the inspiration for the words.
However, I was determined to use the voice of the narrator for Demise because that was what I was attempting to finish. I saw the opportunity from the last poem (Poem Drop 73) to expand on the man’s thoughts when it came to water. Something clearly happened with him and whoever he was with, and he acted in a rash manner. The result was a dead body at his feet.
The man ruminates on this, knowing that he is responsible for what happened and that there are consequences. He realizes that modern society doesn’t often deal with the consequences of our actions. All we have to do is look at the nearest body of water and see the small bits of plastic that harm the wildlife. The consequences of ordering fast food and not properly disposing of the plastic straw could be the death of a turtle or a similar creature. The man is dealing with his consequences, but he is seeing that not everyone knows the consequences of their actions. No matter how much we think someone else, some other force, will fix things, it is unlikely to happen. We must take action.
Question Section
We’ve all littered. Don’t lie. You have as much or more as I have. The best we can do is “better”. The best we can do is recognize that our actions have consequences. Whether it is dropping the plastic straw at the side of the road or lashing out at others, we have a duty as individuals to take responsibility for our actions and own the consequences. When have you been hit with the consequences of your actions (or potential actions)? How did you react? Do you make a conscious effort to avoid the actions that would cause such consequences again? Let me know in the comments!
I hear another poem is coming every Saturday!