avatarDavid Rudder

Summary

"Tectonic" is a poem that metaphorically addresses the impact of climate change, likening it to tectonic shifts and their resulting natural disasters.

Abstract

The poem "Tectonic" by David Rudder, published on March 21st, 2021, uses the imagery of tectonic activity to illustrate the profound and often destructive effects of climate change. It depicts the earth in a state of flux, with trembling winds, thunderous rumbles, and rising floodwaters, symbolizing the unpredictable and catastrophic consequences of environmental neglect. The poem emphasizes the creation of new landscapes as a result of these changes, while also acknowledging the loss of the past and the demons released by melting ice and shifting tectonic plates. It warns of the potential for tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, suggesting that these natural disasters are analogous to the dire outcomes of climate change. The narrative calls for awareness and action to care for the planet, criticizing political denials and urging collective effort to build a better future. The poem concludes with a call to join hands and create a sustainable world.

Opinions

  • The poet expresses a sense of urgency regarding climate change, comparing it to tectonic forces that can drastically alter the planet.
  • There is a clear criticism of political inaction and denial, which the poet sees as an obstacle to addressing environmental issues.
  • The poem conveys a message of hope, suggesting that individual and collective actions can lead to positive change and a better future for the Earth.
  • The author emphasizes the interconnectedness of human actions and the health of the planet, implying that neglecting the environment is akin to ignoring the signs of impending geological disasters.
  • The poem suggests that the effects of climate change are not just future predictions but are already manifesting in significant and observable ways.

Tectonic

A poem on climate change

Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

Trembling winds of change The earth begins to move The purple distant range Stumbles past the tectonic groove.

Dark rumbles of thunder Droplets of silver rain Movement from down under Floodwaters on the plain.

Tall tectonic edifices Crafted by raw elements Mountains with rock faces Made in tectonic moments.

Building new tomorrows A place we never saw before Melting bygone sorrows Melt under the door.

Pieces of the past are cast Releasing desperate demons Movement from deep cores Mere words have different meanings.

Deep tectonic plates Rub, rise and then erupt Accompanied by the fates Ever ready to corrupt.

Sending tsunami waves To obliterate the shore Feckless folk to early graves Life swallowed by the maw.

Tectonic windows Opened by erosion Sighing their last throes In a volcanic explosion.

Climate change creeps From heavens into hell The rising seas keep seeping Into the earth’s death knell.

Comets in the heavens Stars streaming from above Raining night-time sessions Screaming out for love.

Caring for our planet For our family of the future Aware of the whole gamut Joined with a fragile suture.

The wallpaper of our minds Covering the truth Closing up the blinds And hiding in a booth.

Strategic dour denials Made for political gain The known mistrials And shifting of the blame.

One voice and single action Moves multitudes toward Each opposite reaction Toward a path of moving forward.

Join hands together Let’s build a better place A new world that we can live in With a smile upon her face.

©

David Rudder 21st March 2021

Thanks for reading.

Poetry
Climate Change
Plate Tectonics
Change
Woodworkersunite
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