(Desert Destruction by Cynthia Short)
Great prompt over at Big Tent Poetry! http://bigtentpoetry.org/ Writing a Pantoum on something that angers you. I had a hard time choosing a topic, I am pissed off about so many things...but here is something that hit very close to home with me. (It could be a metaphor on all environmental issues, or surival of the strongest and least compassionate.)
It's my very first attempt at a Pantoum...so bear with me!
The American Dream is alive and well,
deep in the desert, where no one will care.
To carve out a piece, to make it your own,
no matter what else will get lost on the way.
Deep in the desert, where no one will care,
mule deer stand watch for the dozers to cease.
No matter what else will get lost on the way,
only Man's great dominion is important here.
Mule deer stand watch for the dozers to cease,
coyotes flee, quail exiled once more.
Only Man's great dominion is important here,
nature ground down by Humanity's boot.
Coyotes flee, quail exiled once more,
to fight for survival, sanctuary destroyed.
Nature ground down by Humanity's boot,
The American Dream is alive and well.
.
.
Directly behind our home (which my husband and I have turned into a wild animal sanctuary with many places to build dens and nests, plenty of plantlife to graze on and a constant fresh water supply) some new "neighbors" bought 12 acres of native mountainside and then proceeded to completely rip off every bit of vegetation in a failed attempt to cut the mountain completely down. They hit solid rock, so eventually gave up once every bit of soil was taken off the hillsides. Now, nothing will ever grow there but the most determined tumbleweeds, and all the animals who called that mountain their home will have to attempt to live somewhere else. Our hummingbird "nursery" has been totally destroyed...this breaks my heart.
Good job, Cynthia. I'd be angry, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat message here, and it applies the world over.
ReplyDeleteA disturbing event right on your home sanctuary! Definitely a cause for strong anger!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not your neighbour, Cynthia, but then I'd be so much nicer! The anger definitely comes through in this denunciation of the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteGreat pantoum, Cynthia! You have powerfully focused your anger into language. Heartbreaking!!!
ReplyDeleteCynthia, very good pantoum. You found your subject literally in your backyard. You must be heartsick.
ReplyDeletehttp://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/06/without-consequenceperson-of-my-bad.html
Oh my goddess. I've lived out west, and I know how difficult it is to recover lost terrain. I am sick about your situation, so I can only imagine how you feel, Cynthia. It's rape, nothing but. A violation of every sacred thing and a sin against stewardship. And, your anger shows through well in your FIRST pantoum. Wow -- you did a great job. I really like the "Humanity's boot," which connotes military power (in my mind, at least).
ReplyDeleteThis was a good channel for your anger to ride through. I love your first ever pantoum! It carries your words and emotions well.
ReplyDelete"Only man's great dominion is important here"...the Gulf is another example. Will we learn?
Another great pantoum. I must have a look at this Big Tent Poetry. Very impressive blog.
ReplyDeleteA good reason to be angry Cynthia.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so sad for you Cynthia. We bought ourselves a quiet little place in the semi-country during the summer when all was green. We moved in, thrilled to be bordered by woods - then the leaves fell in the fall...surprise, surprise, the land abutting us was to be cleared (completely) and a mcmansion erected to oversee our lower-laying land. Horrible. We had hoped for deer, turkey, even chipmunk, instead we just got a poor dog, hooked all day to a chain barking down on our land. I feel your anger.
ReplyDelete- Dina
I hate how that happens, and happen it does. Your pantoum is surely well done and the image perfectly worded.
ReplyDeleteOh my Cynthia this just breaks my heart!
ReplyDeletePerfect pantoum! And this would make me very angry also!
Pamela
Cynthia, you definitely had good material here for an angry pantoum
ReplyDelete"Nature ground down by humanity's boot." Isn't that the truth! It must be so difficult to watch.
http://troublebeingstrong.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-anger-erupts.html
Powerful stuff. Very smart to bring the American Dream into this.
ReplyDeleteOh. What a horrible circumstance. I hate how weak county planning is (it is county, right?) -- people get to do whatever they want. I despise that, and can't imagine how awful it would be to live next to that.
ReplyDeleteYou did a marvelous job with the form. I think it suits you. And hope you'll try it again.
Excellent first try at a pantoum. I tried one too for the first time but failed to make it rhyme. Your anger is justifiable and you express it well.
ReplyDeleteGood pantoum Cynthia, can smell the smoldering anger - enough reasons to be angry about.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I enjoyed your rant in the form of the pantoum. Well done and I really like the reference to the American dream. - Irene
ReplyDeleteWow. I can see why you are angry and wow, I can see where your powerfully sketched pantoum was born. Brava!
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a worthy target for your anger! Great job with your first pantoum ever!
ReplyDeletewho knew pantoum's could be so expressive... i wonder how we got where we are not to consider the world around us and the affect we have on everything....
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job for a first try at the pantoum. That story is so disheartening, and I'm sure it's being replicated the world over.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of thing breaks my heart. I'm so sorry to hear about it and you place the blame right where it belongs: an interpretation of the American dream that allows wanton destruction for short term gain. Great job on the pantoum.
ReplyDeleteA justifiable anger, well expressed in the pantoum form. I was pulled in from the first two lines - powerful and sad.
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ReplyDeleteWaves of anger artistically crafted! Touching..."only man's dominion is important here"...hmmm...a great piece!
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