What can I do? (One and a half degrees)
Throwing away a plastic carton
On a train, not taking it home to wash
And recycle;
It's grubby and will get over my bag,
Like the paper coffee cup
I took home once and decided
That was not a good idea.
When I click the order button
On the online clothing forum
I try not to think of the person who made it;
In a factory in China
Where workers sleep on the premises
Or in India, where factory effluent
Seeps into the rivers,
After seeing the gallons of water
Used to make cotton
I don't want to buy it-do I check all my labels.
I can't as a rule, afford organic;
I've discovered the market
For seasonal veg-
Who needs strawberries in January?
We aren't driving, anymore
Our flying footprint is very low
Is it enough?
Making steps forwards and backwards,
Perhaps better than just backwards-
Big, guzzling consumers devouring the planet;
Climate change deniers
During the big freeze Trump asked for global warming-
He has it now, for the next ten years;
Warmer temps shifting up the
Thermometer pole
To be aware
Is not much to ask.
© Amanda Derry
Amanda joined a Creative Writing class, following a breakdown, which played a significant role in her recovery. She now embeds literacy skills into classes that she teaches.
