Presented here is a small number of poems – a mini-pamphlet’s worth -written following an initial invitation to take part in Culture Declares Emergency’s Bath event in the Spring of 2019. My own Letter to the Earth – which I read aloud in Walcot Chapel – was written first, together with On Waterloo Bridge, and What if?, on the eve of Extinction Rebellion’s International Rebellion. I wrote the remainder in two separate periods in 2019, and 2020. The 2019 sequence was ‘Highly Commended’ in Red Line Art Works’ Annual Awards in 2019.  Follow the links below to access the poems, presented here in reverse order.

Letter to the Earth

I love you, Earth. 

I want you to be okay,

Which is to say, 

Bio-massive,

And -diverse. 

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I love you, my family – Humanity.

I want you to be okay,

Which is to say,

Safe,

Happy,

And free

Of poverty.

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I love you, offenders major,

Although I have at times imagined you hanging from a scaffold

Or with your face smashed in.

I want you to be okay too:

Safe,

Happy,

And free

Of your moral poverty.

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I love you, offenders minor,

Although I have at times had contempt for your irresponsibility,

Wilful ignorance or lack of courage.

I want you to be okay :

Safe,

Happy,

And free,

Of your moral poverty.

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I love you, Jonathan.

I want you to be okay too :

Safe,

Happy,

And free

Of poverty.

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In loving these, I live and am :

My Earth,

My family – Humanity,

Which is to say,

Jonathan