While Nature Cries appeared in The Poet magazine as the poem of the day on the 18th of January, 2023, and will appear in the magazine's forthcoming Our Changing Earth anthology.
On the positive side, while Nature cries, an ever-growing army of eco-warriors is assembling to fight the planet's corner.
Anyhow, here's the poem!
While Nature Cries
While Nature cries (no ifs, no buts),
Mankind rips out the planet’s guts;
mines and oil wells mar her face,
wounds that multiply apace
and maim like several million cuts.
In mansions, red-brick homes and huts
(as Midnight’s countdown window shuts),
we dream of settling outer space
while Nature cries.
Through changing climes Earth’s one-time gluts
of food we trade for dusty ruts
or flooded fields; so let us brace
ourselves and rescue Earth with grace,
ignoring pessimistic tuts
while Nature cries.
Below are links to my short-listed story for the National newspaper and for a couple of stories that appeared on the Every Day Fiction site - where you can leave a comment and a rating if you so desire. WARNING - Exodus Mortis is a bit disturbing:
http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/short-story-a-day-for-decisiveness
https://everydayfiction.com/oh-christmas-tree-by-paul-a-freeman/
https://everydayfiction.com/exodus-mortis-by-paul-a-freeman/
Happy writing!