The Ignorant
Southwest Ranches, FL
2022, Junior, Poetry & Spoken Word
We used to have forests
Which were modest
At best
Politicians and CEOs know best
They know our values
And traded them
For oil farms
I’ll be darned
if it wasn’t
the best thing to do
Who cares about some ice
In the arctic sea
I’ve never seen a polar bear or
Those coral reefs
They are too much for me
I care more about my paper towels
I get from place to place
With my gasses
They can’t take my
Workplace
Away
So some rare orangutan?
Will be okay
I need to lie down after a long day
Eat Chick-fil-A
And my mc fish filet
My diet is okay
Nature isn’t destroyed
My little Jonny boy
Plays outside
I’ve seen a snake or two
We’re all fine
But maybe we aren’t
Maybe it’s time
To take our time
To take care
Of our planet
CEOs and Senators
Need to see
This world lives on biodiversity
Not their useless paper money
Reflection
My older sister inspired my work. I grew up with her making fun of our corporate world’s sole need for money and power, regardless of the consequences. My piece is, at first, portrayed as a vengeful woman who does the opposite of what is recommended for Earth. However, then we wake up from that slightly ironic portion and realize the profound damage that is being done to our planet. I feel our entire world is living in this bubble where they either do not know about climate change or choose to ignore it. I hope that when listening to my poem, people see the explicit sabotage they might as well be doing to our planet when they choose those dietary changes, choose to destroy forests, and choose to ruin the Arctic and the coral reefs. It may have humorous elements, but my message is solemn: I want things to change, and this is my warning to the world.