Environmental Elements

The earth, air, fire, and water too
are elements of me and you
they need to be in balance so
the vital tides can ebb and flow
but lately something’s out of line
and we’ve received a warning sign

strong earthquakes happening all around
which prove that we’re on shaky ground
typhoons and cyclones fill the air
tornadoes seen most everywhere
vast forest fires rage uncontrolled
and floods are now a thousandfold

with nature’s forces thus unfurled
we wonder what’s next for our world
our race for economic growth
is hurting world and humans both
if only we could find the gumption
to cut right back on our consumption

cos Mother Nature’s telling us
that humankind has missed the bus
just say goodbye to hope long range
unless we all make drastic change

©Ruth Gardner