Photo: the saturdaypaper.com.au
“If Helms is not protected for these birds, we’re going to end up losing the species.” Dee Patterson (Jamarri Rehab Centre & Rescue)
Tomorrow Looking Back Back rooms, sheds, trunks, places for future rediscovery of things past, things forgotten, she wandered in with a feather jet black with a red tip, my eyes teared, "What is this?" she asked. I said, "let me begin at the ending, where it all began, when you were little we worshipped mining companies, trusted our governments, believed our corporate leaders, listened to their lies, repeated their rhetoric mantras, we sat round fires, sipped our wine, laughed and made merry, while the habitat disappeared, the beautiful black cockatoos all died leaving only traces, feathers for the backroom, a shrine to their memory." Copyright 2023 ©️Paul Vincent Cannon All Rights Reserved ®️ Note 1: In the Quote - Helms - refers to a forest block in Western Australia's south west, home to the three species of black cockatoo. Helms is only one block of state forest, there are dozens under threat across the southern half of the state. Note 2: There are three species of black cockatoo in Western Australia: the Forest Red Tailed, Carnaby's (white tailed) and, Baudin's (white tailed). All three are endangered, Baudin's are on the critical list (estimated at only 4,000 in the wild). The decline rate is predicted to accelerate as further logging and land clearing continue and their food and water sources disappear. Note 3: Causes of decline are - agricultural spraying, urban development, mining, increased number of bushfires, illegal shooting (by farmers, orchardists, vignerons), vehicle collision (the roads are a source of cereal grains at harvest time as the trucks are not sealed).
parallax 
Loved both the poem and the backstory.
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Many thanks for that Pat.
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Sad…
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We really are nuts, yes, so sad.
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Such a beautiful poem about a tragedy happening before our eyes and we can’t get government to hear let alone act – such majestic beautiful birds and icons of australia heading for extinction – I loved how you put it
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Thank you so much, yes if only the birds could speak to politicians.
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The extinction of species is here and now, isn’t it. Everywhere, we are losing bio-diversity. Your poem is timely and resonates.
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Yes, agreed. I am watching it in front of me, so sad. It is an uphill battle to get more people active in being a voice. Thank you so much 🙂
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Sad but beautiful poem. Many thanks!
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Thank Amy, we really have made a mess, hoping for better though ….
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I’m getting a bad feeling about so many species becoming endangered or extinct. There are bound to be unforeseen consequences.
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Very much so, the web of life is all interrelated so trouble indeed.
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Such a lovely flow in your poem and well thought documentation Paul! 💞
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Cindy many thanks 🙂
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You’re so welcome Paul! 💗
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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A beautiful poem, but a sad ending. So we are encouraged to save nature. Best wishes, Michael
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Lovely but sad.
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Yes, we’ve been blind to our impact.
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