The Ripple

I wrote this poem for an assignment in a British Literature class.  The assignment was to observe nature and attempt to write about it in the way of the Romantics.  First, I thought, "Hmmmm, write a poem mimicing world renowned dead poets.  No stress there!"  <insert much sarcasm here>  Then, I thought this was a fantastic opportunity to try something new and to really commune with nature!  So, the following was the result. 

Preface:  I know this sounds bleak but the idea is that we should all strive to be the romantic sitting on the shore.  We should all understand that our little bit of uncaring action has a ripple effect and spreads out from person to person and community to community.  Consider it a lesson, not a negative work.  It has its points on modern humanities relationship with nature but it's also a statement on much more.  I would love to see comments on this.  I promise to respond and supply answers to any questions.  Enjoy....

 

Upon the gritty, stony shore I perched in earnest contemplation,

           And lobbing a pebble amid the bluish green liquid serenity-

I marveled in my simple yet blissful discovery with elation, 

           At rings and waves echoing out onto the once peaceful lake.

My marveling echoed out first in ripples then in waves from one small stone,

           Across a small divide to yet another shore but crowded,

Baring witness to my innocent disruption yet not, as I, alone,

           Majestic trees in disarray standing audience to the lake, 

Not alone but entangled in a universally dependent embrace,

           Lake, shore, crawling groundcover, trees and mountainside,

Intertwined; mothers, fathers, siblings, lovers with delicate grace

           Interconnecting, supporting, sustaining, and balancing needs.

From that near shore, nature's majesty replies to me,

           A message in that rebounding ripple ebbing back

Across the small divide received with awe and glee,

           "Thank you.  Admiration lovingly accepted."

So on this welcome, my contemplations circle and return,

           Back to the tiny ripple's growth as it lazily journeys beyond,

Beyond that nearby most inviting shore, what will it learn?

           From a tiny pebble's ripple grows a wave rolling out,

Out into the vastness of the lake carrying my message of innocent awe,

           Rolling, roiling, casting to and fro reaching for a distant shore,

I sit in silence patiently basking in the reflection of nature's law,

           I wait pondering.  "What great and wondrous message will return?"

Upon a far away wave, I spy a ribbon rainbow colored in the sun,

           In the joy of anticipation to pass the time I ruminate...

"Surely the colors must signify some luminous natures pun,

           Tales of some yet discovered flower upon the distant shore,

A reward for my admiration carried so far back across this lake."

           On its approach the ribbons form does change,

Wonder gives way to fear for the ribbon now appears a snake!

           A rainbowed slithering snake carried on that replying wave!

          

Scrambling back from water's edge I shudder in fear,

           The wave crashes to shore in vengeful spite,

Receding rudely back but message left with me, here,

           No longer slithering but coiled in a puddle ashore,

Edging forward for a better view of the coiled beast,

           I deciphered what hate filled message was returned

And stood in horror as it was what I expected least,

           Not nature's snake but a putrid rainbowed puddle stood reflecting,

Played on the surface not a message from but of nature, a nightmarish tale,

           Great growling beasts forging their attack against the brethren,

Of that nearby friendly awe-inspiring shore, as I witnessed I grew pale,

           At the sight of the horrors played out in that diseased puddle.

Beasts of metal growling, bellowing noxious fumes amid the trees,

           Frighteningly powerful claws ripping at the mountains flesh,

Faint and nauseas from utter disbelief and despair I fell to my knees,

           In the puddle, henchmen raped and pillaged nature before my eyes,

They stack the mutilated corpses, not content with mere death but further abuse,

           As the great beasts spew their foul excrement onto the earth,

It snakes down to the shore carried away on innocent waves for use

           Of heralding their message of destruction across the waters,

I tear my gaze from the horrific massacre played out before me,

           In that puddle of death and decay, and peer across that small divide,

Back to that welcoming glorious familial wonder, "This cannot be!!!

           How long must that ghastly drama have held my attention?!"

No longer stood the trees reaching to Heaven proud and green,

           Instead, barren, skeletons staggered on a bed of decaying leaves,

No longer crawling but receding groundcover, not abundant but lean,

           Divorced, orphaned, lovers scorned, humanity's message received.

 ~Lisa R.