Earth Rage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

As a poet whose poetry is archived by the British Library and elsewhere, I try to record major events - including natural disasters - around the world for future reference. Sadly, I have to be selective, but try to write about the worst, especially those that have affected me deeply and cried out for a poem.  I often revert to the villanelle form - as I do here - and can but hope readers will find it effective.

Although these poems are archival now, they serve as reminders all that climate change is no new phenomenon; nature has been sending out warning signals for years. More we should never forget the impact natural disasters have on families and communities around the world; it is not enough to blame nature, humankind needs to accept its own share of blame and take appropriate action before it is too late for any of us 

On March 11^th 2011 an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale struck the north-eastern coast of Japan. Although Tokyo is some 200+ miles from the epicentre, it some suffered some damage if incomparable with the utter devastation a Tsunami that quickly followed left in its wake further along the coast. Shocking, live TV coverage inspired the poem.

EARTH RAGE

Nature raging, run amok,
tsunami taking its toll;
Tokyo's reeling in shock

Japan having to take stock
of losses stark and cruel;
nature raging, run amok

Ground rolling, hear it crack,
folks wrestling self-control;
Tokyo's reeling in shock

Across islands of the Pacific,
find fear draping its pall,
nature raging, run amok

As its stunned surrounds rock,
the good earth making a kill,
Tokyo's reeling in shock

Humanity taken a cruel knock,
nor all its wounds soon heal;
nature raging, run amok,
Tokyo's reeling in shock

[London; March 11th 2011]

Copyright R. N. Taber

Floods of Fear

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

[Update: From February to April 2019, widespread flash flooding affected large parts of Pakistan, most severely in Balochistan, KPK, Punjab, and other provinces. ... The main areas affected were Turbat, Tump, Nasirabad and Dasht where 300 people were displaced due to the flood.]
Dare I suggest climate change is not as recent a phenomenon as some people are suggesting, not to mention as many others who remain in denial.?


The 2010 Pakistan floods directly affected an estimated 14-20 million people, and killed over 1,700. Nearly 1.1 million homes were damaged or destroyed, and at least 436 health care facilities were destroyed. The floods in Pakistan began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and, Balochistan regions of Pakistan, which affected the Indus River basin.

Nature alone is not to blame. Humanity is polluting its earth, air, seas and rivers, and we need to start taking our individual responsibilities to the planet seriously before it is too late. Too many people don't even recycle waste, even where facilities are provided, and do not see it as their problem; we all need to do what we can...or it will be left to future generations to suffer the consequences and pick up whatever pieces may be left. 

Past-present-future is a continuum for which we all need to shoulder some responsibility instead of shrugging off the likes of climate change as fake news or as of no immediate personal concern to us so let other people clean up our mess...

FLOODS OF FEAR

Floods of fear confronting Pakistan,

indiscriminate, rich and poor;

terrorism no less a threat than rain

Now and then, the worst monsoon

breaks down the strongest door;

floods of fear confronting Pakistan

Pain and grief as the world looks on

(some say could, should do more);

terrorism no less a threat than rain

Those left homeless, no peace plan

for reconstructing their future;

floods of fear confronting Pakistan

Across the border with Afghanistan

some two-way trafficking for sure;

floods of fear confronting Pakistan

Aid on its way, can’t arrive too soon;

nature wreaking sickness and more;

floods of fear confronting Pakistan;

terrorism, no less a threat than rain

Copyright R. N. Taber 2010

INDUS RISING

Swathes of the Indus rising

where homes stood, crops grew,

men, women, children dying

It’s live in tents or nothing

whom the monsoon rains pursue;

swathes of the Indus rising

Millions have lost everything,

aid taking its time to filter through;

men, women, children dying

Cases of cholera spreading

like a terrorist nightmare come true;

swathes of the Indus rising

The stink of bodies floating

where nature’s wrath spares but few;

men, women, children dying

Human spirit near breaking,

yet its promises to mend ringing true;

swathes of the Indus rising;

men, women, children dying

Copyright R. N. Taber 2010

[Note: Both poems appear in Tracking the Torchbearer by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2012.]

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