I haven’t counted the stairs at
1001 Steps, but walking down felt like there were 500 and climbing back up felt closer to 2001. At the bottom, a beach of countless stones made each step awkward. Nearby, a train hauled U.S. coal alongside Canadian shores to barges heading for China where it will fuel power plants and be used in furnaces to produce steel, adding hugely to carbon emissions. Though China seems to embrace wind and solar, it's no easy shift. All countries face the grip of immediate needs versus the long-term health of the planet. The
glacier collapse in Nepal confirms that we’re on a one-way escalator moving too fast to step off, and the
Poet’s and Storytellers United prompt “numbers” to me says environmental disasters are too overwhelming to tally.
The train passed by and so did my focus on troubles and challenges. Later at Crescent Beach, a butterfly kite swirled and a dancer joyfully whirled to the delight of onlookers.
oui, les énergies ne se remplacent pas les unes les autres, elle s'accumulenet, le charbon n'a pas remplacé le bois, le pétrole n'a pas remplacé le charbon. les énergies dites décarbonnées seront plus amplement utilisées mais en complément. il y a une sorte de folie qui consiste à épuiser la planète, et c'est terrible. Quoi qu'il en soit vos photos sont superbes
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, as senior with arthritis, I would never attempt those steps!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to watch somebody dance for the sheer joy of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that many of the world's leaders do not take climate change seriously.
I like the words on that lock, someone obviously was dearly loved, have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. I prefer sandy beaches, but you take what you can get!
ReplyDeleteI always found climbing up steps easier than going down. Nice write Maria 👏
ReplyDeleteThe line "One thousand ways of pretending" really captures that frustration with global delay on climate action. Amazing photos, especially that closing moment with the butterfly kite and the dancer.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, it’s a lovely poem, and all the pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI believe change is at the core of our nature; it’s how this planet became our Mother Earth. If change weren’t constant, there would be no mountains, valleys, meadows, rivers, or the civilizations that grew along them. Just as we cannot stop the changes in our bodies, it is futile to think we can preserve the Earth in a single, fixed state.
It's sad and true. Our sins as human species is innumerable. Those steps seem deadly. Be careful.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics Penelope and great lines to match!
ReplyDeleteHank
It does feel that way sometimes... the griefs of this world are too numerous to count and one would go mad even trying to tally a fraction of them.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAs I get older, I am afraid of doing too many steps. Beautiful poem and lovely photos.
We must be doing something about climate change now. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend!
What a haunting poem. It's amazing that so many humans wish to pretend everything is alright, so they can still enjoy those things they know are destroying life itself.
ReplyDelete...a sandy beach is so much nicer to walk on, but I love stones and collect them when I can. Thanks for taking me along to see the sights.
ReplyDeleteA thoughtful and reflective poem - wonderfully penned and beautifully illustrated as always - Jae
ReplyDeleteThought-provoking indeed.
ReplyDeleteLovely images and words.
ReplyDeleteSome keep counting the steps, and many carry on "without counting".
Loving your Steps and Stones. Lovely images! Thank you for sharing them along with your thoughts. It’s impressive you can tackle those steps.
ReplyDeleteOur life style has rapidly changed to consuming more and more electricity like the recent use of AI models. Transitioning to wind and solar is so difficult in this mountainous country of mine. Rapid proliferation of mega-solar power plants have dramatically altered beautiful green topography into ugly land, which has been causing secondary disasters like floodings. I wonder if nuclear fusion power will be developed in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, walking while counting steps or looking at nature has a calming effect.
The world is in a sad state and the people is charge couldn't care less. Pretty kite.
ReplyDeleteA powerful mix of reflection and observation. The contrast between the heavy environmental realities and that joyful moment at Crescent Beach really stays with you. Thank you for sharing this.
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