These poems are a powerful reminder to protect the earth before it is too late.
Poet and writer Amir Murtaza shares his poem. Based in Karachi, Amir Murtaza is a published writer of two poetry books, “Khizan Main Rang Dhoondta Hoon” & “The Last Clouds”. He has also written a number of short stories for children. Amir can be contacted at amirmurtaza1@hotmail.com
In The Last Clouds, Amir Murtaza writes about the serious danger of climate change with deep feeling. The three poems—”Extinction,” “Deforestation,” and “Just Think”—show how human greed is destroying nature. “Extinction” tells a true story about farmers in Khairpur who are losing local birds and plants to extreme summer heat. “Deforestation” gives a voice to the trees themselves, showing the sadness of a green forest being cut into pieces by heavy machines. Finally, “Just Think” is a direct warning to our conscience, asking us what will happen to future generations if we destroy our planet for money. Together, these poems are a powerful reminder to protect the earth before it is too late.
Extinction
In a village close to Khairpur
One summer evening
Conversing with some farmers.
Someone said that in the past few years
The temperature in their area has risen significantly
Summers used to be harsh here
Now, it seems fire is burning
From the sun.
Due to that heat
A few plants, birds and insects
Which were the inhabitants of this region
They are totally gone.
In a web based gathering
Somebody let me know
Climate change is a primary stimulus of the extinction.
By the end of this century
Around one million species may get terminated.
____
Deforestation
I was born here on this earth
Grew up with my kin and friends
We live here with various species
A few of us are same
Some are totally different.
We are largely companions
We help each other
Our existence is important for one another
And, for the ecosystem too.
We are necessary for the survival of human beings on earth
Still he has become our foe.
These people consistently come here
In huge vehicles
Bring heavy machines.
They have begun cutting my siblings
What’s more, companions
One day me as well
We cut into pieces
The green forest is gone.
____
Just Think
In my primary school books
I read about the benefits of backwoods
For people, creatures and fowls.
Benefits for everybody
Yet, woods have been cutting down ruthlessly
Are we trying to vanish them from the planet?
Just think.
What will happen to the beneficiaries of forests?
Human beings, animals and birds
Just think.
The people from the timber trade
They couldn’t care less
The timberlands are vanishing
They are earning cash.
The greed makes our fields empty
We are leaving the blank fields
For generations to come
Just think.
_____________
Read: Silent Moments
