Tanka Poems (Vol. I)

Autumn in the Capitol

bursting of colors

along washington parkway

soothing to my soul

wondering what would it be

if there are no living trees

the call of the wild

along potomac river

music to my ears

if its old banks overflowed

my world would be sad and doomed

beauty of nature

dancing with the passing wind

whispering good-bye

her whispers become louder

yet, no one pays attention

if now, we don't care

future generations die

robbed of nature's best

the rolling hills and green fields

become their graveyards instead

we owe to our youth

what our forefathers had left

conserve and protect

stop denuding forests

to preserve ecosystems

join me in my plea

send e-mails to the capitol

preserve nature's wealth

influence decision makers

in writing new policies

it's never too late

listen to the weeping tree

my heart bleeds for you

every time you cut my trunk

gloomy days not far behind

you choose to ignore

biblical signs and warnings

become deaf and blind

to scientific studies

went on your own care-free way

my spirit roams

in my own niche of the woods

tears mix with flash floods

mourning the loss of loved ones

price you paid for being deaf!

alternate ending (last stanza)

Replace the last two stanzas with the following:

my spirit roams

in my own niche of the woods

our legacy lives

thank you for heeding my plea

nature's beauty,  here to stay...

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It's never too late to do something about erratic climate change caused by global warming. We already saw the devastating effects of the fury of Nature. Those are just early warning signs; the worst is yet to come. If we don't act now, then we are doomed, and nobody else to blame but ourselves. 

My poem is in Japanese style of Tanka poetry, which consist of five lines with a total of 31 syllables (5-7-5-7-7). It is focused on raising awareness about the beauty of Nature and what we can do in return to preserve and protect it, not only for ourselves but for future generations. This is just part of a whole lot of solutions that we can do. Please join me in my advocacy!