I'm like the spider looking for shelter from my own disappointment. To put it bluntly, the worst possible candidate (who called climate change a hoax) at the worst possible moment in Earth's environmental window won the US election. The same strange twisted brand of authoritarian style Conservatism also lurks in Canada and around the globe. This is a devastating result for not only the US but the world in my opinion. My faith in humanity is crushed and the insane amount of misinformation spreading like wildfire across the internet frustrates and saddens me. It's not surprising then that my poem for the
Poets and Storytellers United prompt "holding your breath” is dramatic perhaps but reflects my pessimistic political outlook, spurred on by Hillary's 2016 loss. For more optimism than I can currently muster, check out
Harris's concession speech.
The election, somewhat of a windstorm, preceded nature's windstorm in southwest B.C. Branches flew and the lights went out for several hours. Struggling in these dark times, it sometimes feels as if the lights blew out on mankind. But even as we appear to drown in our consequences, we have responsibilities to do better in our own ways.
I understand. I am very sadl.
ReplyDeletePowerful Poem. Yes, it was 'sombering' for me yesterday to see that so many in the US have drunk the Koolade -" blinded by the lies..." Not only in terms of climate change, but the other plans he has for disrupting our lives... sigh...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant poetry!
ReplyDeleteSuch an honest and thought-provoking piece. There’s always a chance things won’t be as bleak as they seem. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteCan feel the wind in those pictures...was the recent atmospheric river flooding also in the same area?
ReplyDeleteNo, the flooding you probably heard about was not right where the picture was taken but there was an extreme amount of rain there.
DeleteTense times, indeed
ReplyDeleteI have the same thoughts. Lovely poem and images.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I am just going to breathe in, breathe out, and continue to do what I can do.
Sometimes we just have to ride the tide. Vivid imagery of despair and frustration.
ReplyDeleteI have no words. Really.
ReplyDeleteI share feeling and thoughts with you Maria. That night I was on the verge of tears when I look at the moon overlooking the world in sadness and I’m still in a shock state with disbelief and many whys. I’ve been scared when conspiracies and misinformation spread like “wildfire”. I totally agree with you, we have responsibilities to do better in our own way in our own place. I hope things won’t much worse for the benefit of this precious planet and all the people.
ReplyDeleteYou convey the global darkness so astutely - let's hope some light will lone day fall on us - Jae
ReplyDeleteI've been greatly encouraged by Nancy Pelosi's advice, "Don't agonize, organize."
ReplyDeleteLovely poem and images. I am very sad, I feel sick and have even more trouble sleeping. I am worried about the future. I expect some crazy and turbulent times ahead. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDelete...Maria, I share your disappointment. Many things are out of our control.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Penelope, many are very worried about the future. Thank you for sharing your pictures and words.
ReplyDeleteOne can only conclude that Americans went into this with eyes wide open. They have seen the daily decline in cognitive function of a rambling old man who can barely hold a thought together, they have read the warnings of incipient fascism, they know that he overturned Roe v Wade and now threatens to take care of women “whether they like it or not”, he lies constantly and invents scenarios that don’t exist, he cherishes dictators, is a convicted felon, sexual predator, twice impeached, will abandon NATO, give Putin a free hand in Ukraine, mount an assault on freedom of the press, trash the environment …..and on and on. And should he become incapacitated J.D. Vance is ready to fill the breach and he is perhaps worse. Yet knowing all of this Americans rewarded him with a second term as president. Every segment of society joined hands to give him the popular vote, even those he had bashed, trashed and degraded. The experiment with democracy is over. Autocracy is ascendant and imminent. The United States you knew is gone forever. And if you think that Trump (or Vance) will leave the White House in four years you are delusional!
ReplyDeleteYou speak with such clarity, David. I don't think the enormity of this tragedy has sunk into the psyche of people who are still reeling in disbelief. Here in Canada, I can feel it coming in my bones: beware of Pierre.
DeleteBeware of Pierre indeed.
DeleteHard to fathom and process this horror. I hope Canada is spared this fate. Terrible times
ReplyDelete~~ it happened and still I cannot fathom it did. Theories abound on the "whys and the hows." I pray we survive his term intact and that 2028 can be a new beginning. We certainly made many mistakes along the way ... we need to learn from them, take in our collective mirrors. Thank you for an amazing poem, amazing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful storm photo. Thank you for commiserating with us.
ReplyDeleteI concur with your feeling, Penelope. I am shocked ans saddened. We survived his regime for 4 years in the past and I hope that we can rally pull of depression and fight for what is right and truthful again. Thanks for your support!
ReplyDeleteAs long as not all human beings in the world can't read and write, there will always be a voice which shouts louder then the others and is so talented that these poor people believe everything which is shouted at them. Clearly you have two parts in the USA, the intellectuals in the city and the people living in the wild countryside, where probably is no school. That's why the church always had such an influence, the people there could read and write and tell people that in Springfield they should eat cats and dogs. And as it was a priest or pastor, they believed it !
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree: it's another four sad years for empathy, equal rights, critical thinking...I worry for my US friends and relatives now TFG wants an science-deniar as Secretary of Health and a megalomanic illegal, African immigrant billionaire (Elon Musk) in his administration as reward for his support. Good luck and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteSince you're using "conservative" in the European sense of clinging to feudal ideas of an aristocratic class making decisions on behalf of a lower class, it may help you to realize that what swept the US polls last week was a wave of populism--classical liberalism, equal rights for all. Even those who disagree with you. And most of them want to leave you alone.
ReplyDeleteDo you see any real basis for believing that a second Trump Administration will be worse than the first one was? Did you survive the first one? You will be fine.
PK
Powerful poem. I feel sad that this was my country's choice.
ReplyDelete