CONSUMING PASSION
Take what of this earth you will,
but be prepared to pay !
Concern is not included in the bill.
We do not talk of famine far away.
The world and I have left it somewhat late,
and we are both beyond our sell-by date.
Earth, give up hope. The countries on your crust
are all too self observed to let you stay
alive and fit for long: they’ll have their say
at summits where procedures are discussed
for saving you, but do not put your trust
in those; the delegates will go away
and you’ll still wait and bleed. You’ve had your day;
ashes to ashes, dust to man made dust.
But is there one last chance? A revolution,
a human one – or yours? Were you to alter
your orbit, in a fit of pique, and melt
some ice, to spill selective retribution
on North America, your chief assaulter,
we’d grieve, no doubt; but know just how you felt.
John P. Coville
