Upside Down – VJs Weekly Challenge
Photo: pixabay.com
The Question
I saw a question
on the side of the road,
a struggling plant,
gasping, calling for water,
and none to be found,
save for the discarded plastic bottle
of nature’s spring water,
resolutely shut,
lying nearby,
self-absorbed,
and totally unaware
of the gift it withholds,
selfishly smug,
secure in its expense.
Will the plastic ever care,
now that it has so cleverly seduced us
and shut us against our very own life?
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
parallax 
There is a sad sense of premonition about this poem. I too, have been photographing stray water bottles and feeling the impact of their presence on nature. So well written, right from the opening line you grabbed me.
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I really value what you’ve just shared, have you previously posted any of those photos? They would make an amazing visual comment.
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I haven’t, but I have a few I’m gathering as a possible post.
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Great, but also, it would make a great exhibition alongside your Haiku and other poetry.
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Thanks for that.
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You are very welcome
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Perhaps we should be cast to sea
To swim amongst the plastic debris
Ocean creatures to laugh with glee
Oblivious to our dire pleas
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Sadly well said Sandy, wish it were otherwise, as, I know, do you.
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Indeed I do.
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A sad fact of life. We’re being swallowed by our own creation.
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O yes indeed, we’re choking ourselves, so sad – yet still some time to turn around 🙂
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This is sadly a question we should be thinking seriously about Paul. Glad you shared this. I am sure it will make many think seriously about our reckless attitude.
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Yes, if we don’t deal with this it will be the death of us, so agree with you Radhika, and thank you 🙂
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powerful environmental statement 😎
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A previous commenter wrote they see this as an environmental statement. We see the issue behind the curtain as “It’s a moral money problem.”
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a sad reality said so well
>
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Yes, vey sad comment, what to do, what to do?
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Appreciation in one small moment is sometimes unseen. Awesome poem of perception.
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Thank you so much Linda, very much appreciate what you have shared.
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Another thought provoking poem. I’ve been learning about “conservation photography”, where you use photography not just to share all the “beautiful things” in nature, but to bring attention to the dangers of not taking care of our Earth. Your poem was a perfect combo of words and visual for me. Thanks!
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I’m so glad it was a helpful read, I’m equally glad to hear there’s conservation photography, so – will we see some future work in that area? Thank you.
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I’m working on it.😊 Trying to figure out how to post on a way that isn’t too negative, and is mixed in with other posts so it doesn’t end up in “people’s faces
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I find that the most difficult these days, offence is easy I find.
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That’s what I like about many of your poems–strong message but leaves folks to ponder for themselves. I guess in your vocation you get a lot of practice in that, eh?😊
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Actually yes, my training and experience in that area has been a great help. Thank you for such kind words too. It really is nice to know that they have a positive effect.
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