desertification before cultivation the water flowed bouncing on leaves falling falling to pool on fertile forest floor below before cultivation the water flowed flora bursting with life and clean air jostling for sunspace canopy flirting before cultivation the water flowed we didn’t listen as we ploughed clearing tree roots to feed fields before cultivation the water flowed now encrusted salt lusts after land no sweetness here just bitter dry sand Frances Macaulay Forde © 2007
This article in The Guardian reminded me of my poem published in FAWWA and POETS UNION anthologies.
CORONAVIRUS IS A WARNING TO US TO MEND OUR BROKEN RELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE.
The world must embrace a recovery that involves sustainable farming and clean energy. Anything else is a false economy
In 1997, a large area of rainforest in south-east Asia was burned to the ground to make way for palm oil plantations. A combination of deforestation, forest fires and drought are believed to have forced hundreds of fruit bats away from their natural habitats towards fruit orchards planted in close proximity to intensive pig farms. These conditions led to the emergence of the Nipah virus, which spilled over from infected bats to pigs, and from pigs to pig farmers. Over the next two years, the disease would kill more than 100 people. This should have served as a warning.
#TheGuardian #Nature’sWarning #COVID-19 #POEM:desertification #FrancesMacaulayForde
Perth Words... exploring possibilities. 
The repetition in this poem is particularly effective. Nature is speaking to us very loudly.
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Thank you for your comment, Liz. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Frances.
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