There is lush greenery in Santa Monica, California, providing shade to the residents of a State that is somewhat at the forefront when it comes to climate initiatives in the US. Were it not for conflicting goals and deniers blocking paths to change, Earth would be a healthier place. But now even doubters are realizing elemental truths about "earth, air, fire and water", the
Poets and Storytellers United word prompts that I incorporated into a poem. When disaster strikes their neighborhoods, skeptics become believers.
Our responsibilities are inescapable even as harmful habits are hard to break. Space travelers reluctantly clumped together, there is much to agree on and preserve.
In the very early mornings hours, workers operating machinery, watered plants and scrubbed some Santa Monica streets. The bloom (above) is the Aeonium Blushing Beauty, a hybrid that I believe was developed in California. The flower (below), seemingly about to take flight, is commonly called bird of paradise.
Thanks to the farmer's market, fresh fruit and vegetables sell twice weekly at Santa Monica's pedestrian plaza. Rainbow cherry tomatoes show the beauty of diversity.
Nearby I found topiary/metal sculptures (below) along with murals, some spouted water and some left messages on walls.
The fate of dinosaurs, extinct but fondly remembered, tells us something about existence. Impact from a massive celestial object likely began their demise. But dinosaurs didn't self-destruct the way humankind seems to be doing.
We are all skeptics and believers at differing times but also always inhabitants of the same place in space together. When at war with others, we are at war with ourselves. When our neighbour's home is in flames, it is our larger common home, the orbiting planet, that is impacted by every blaze, bomb blast and poisonous deed.
I wonder ... if humankind should vanish, who or what will remember us, fondly or otherwise, or contemplate the bigger picture. We are the note-takers, the seers and articulators of life, capable of immense compassion and grotesque cruelty.
The images show the beauty all around. I heartily agree that we survive when we come together. Collaboration is preferable to the destruction caused by confrontation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a genuinely upbeat post about climate change. I write, and give links on my When I was 69 blog...about this and other issues. So glad to have found your blog! https://boardwalkbarb.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteBeautiful essay. People from my former profession, their latest gambit is saying that mankind will just "adapt" to the new climate and everything will be fine. I think to them they are thinking getting a bigger air conditioner. However, many people at our southern border are trying to adapt as well.
ReplyDeleteVery well said. Scary times and perhaps a tipping point in human history.
ReplyDelete..shade is a vital part of the landscape, but too many community do not have a tree program. What do they have to hug?
ReplyDeleteFor sure ~ climate and earth are in need of support ~ what's next I wonder ~ Great post and ideas ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days ~
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I share the same thoughts and also wonder what will become of us. Love the last line of your poem and the wisdom 'When at war with others, we are at war with ourselves.' You spread poetry throughout I also love 'We are the note-takers, the seers and articulators of life'
ReplyDeleteVery sobering but true. We are still having bouts of dark skies from the Canadian forest fires. Love the Bird of Paradise, so colorful
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and wonderful commentary on the state of affairs.
ReplyDeletePull the fire alarms and build those arks. Your photos are top notch!
ReplyDeleteconverts - when it appears in one's front yard - one can change their mind quickly! Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to disbelieve when one's home is on fire. Or, at least, it should be. I don't understand climate change deniers. How can they remain blind when the evidence is roasting the fields? I hope they conversion happens quickly.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I very much like the poem, the photos, the reflections. (And all within our word count, too. *Smile.*)
ReplyDeleteFunny ... I actually counted the words this time, just to be sure. :)
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame it takes a disaster to make people believe. Planting more trees is a good thing! The Bird of Paradise is a beautiful plant. I love the dinosaur sculptures and the love mural. Thank you for linking up and sharing your critter post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Hello, :=)
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed your poem, we will survive when we come together on the subject of climate change. I love your photo of the beautiful Bird of Paradise.
All the best
Sonjia
I believe that we, humans, are the caretakers of our earth. But we aren't doing so well, are we. Your picture of Santa Monica, California, is sooo pretty, a pretty place to live.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to visit my oldest grandchild since he moved to Woodland Hills. His widow mother was going to live nearby but then she went to Ecuador to have dental work done and is thinking hard of moving there, on the western beach. She's been there since early spring.
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Yes, humans are “capable of immense compassion and grotesque cruelty.” I share the same thoughts with you, Maria. “Our responsibilities are inescapable even as harmful habits are hard to break.” “When at war with others, we are at war with ourselves." We have survived and overcame by being unified but sometimes it feels never-ending tasks for us to get united for the sake of future generations.
ReplyDeleteGreat post about climate change and our shared responsibility. I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteA very apt poem. It's scary to think about where we are headed and what will be left for the future generations.
ReplyDeleteI think that is very important to reforest all the areas, and is important to preserve and protect the Nature
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that can destroy life as we know it is the human footprint that is covering the earth at an alarming rate, and it's destruction of nature when it gets in the way. There's a tipping point where it won't matter if skeptics change their mind. We seem perfectly capable of destroying ourselves without the use of war. I do love your photos of the dinosaur topiaries.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maria! I appreciate all you do and I think many of the comments have said everything I want to say and have said it better than I could. I do hope that the deniers come around soon.
ReplyDeleteSo well written. The prose, poetry and the pics go hand in hand. I am too worried about who will remember us, our creativities if we self destruct. Very very relevant and thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so beautiful, that I rather forgot to read the text ! I think we had always climate changes but nobody knew we had no TV. Otherwise we still would have dinosaurs running around in our streets. Humans will never change, nobody has learned from the past, there had always been wars everywhere I think we should ban me from politics and choose women. They are less They are less bloodthirsty and think more!
ReplyDeleteSobering thoughts gained extra clout from your very apt photographic inserts. :-) ♥
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciated reading this intelligent post. I wonder too who will be left of us, and what state the world will be in by then. These are tough times for aging hearts like mine.
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