A continually conjured death storm
churns through ocean gyres,
where albatross gather trinkets of death
then carry them back to their family nest.
Human neglect slides down necks.
Bottle caps, lighters, tubing, and knobs.
Fishing twine: human dreck.
Stomachs impacted with plastic trash
albatross struggle and moan.
Disregard sighs as bird spirits die beneath
consumption’s immortal disguise.
Ashes to ashes and plastic to bone
back bending vertebrae of the unknown
filaments flutter as feathers unfurl
through garbage that haunts
and ever uncurls
reflecting our plastic soul.
~
Brenda Warren 2014
Visit The Sunday Whirl
undercaws 
Brenda, your writing rings truth here through and through. That final stanza is powerful. You hid the words perfectly in this piece, my poet friend.
Pamela
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So sad, so true, so frustrating.
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An important poem to have written, Brenda. I conjure my sadness when reading it. Well wordled, important message, and a beautiful poem.
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How thoughtless humans can be and are, more often than we like to think. Wonderful piece of writing.
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Saw the video last week and could see how it impacted you and drove this writing. What will it take to wake humanity to the reality of its senseless inhumanity?
Elizabeth
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One often wonders what can be done to discard the feeling of indifference. Humankind are expected to act responsibly. It’s a pity! Nicely Brenda!
Hank
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A pleasure to read for the beauty, yet sad to know this happens still…lovely to stop by here.
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This is so beautifully done Brenda…rhymed well, and expressed so also. My wordle is below this poem at the same link…unfortunately if you post a poem at another Mr.Linky, it usurps the one before it (you probably know that but just in case…)
http://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2014/01/when-trees-weep.html
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Thanks, Sharon. I appreciate your kind support. I did not know about Mister Linky. I’ll look into it, thanks.
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Humans need to be more humane. Of that there is no doubt –
Hoping the truth of your words will hammer home with clout!
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Ha! Thank you, Jules!
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🙂
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I just watched this video this week – so moving. Your last stanza is beautiful I hope this will help awaken people to the consequences of their actions.
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Yes, it is moving. I’m glad you shared your thoughts. Students (12 and 13 years old) at school watched the clip posted here. It woke an activist spirit in some of them. Many were indignant, appalled, saddened. They’ve been doing some writing about it, too. I’d love to see the entire film, but it doesn’t appear for sale anywhere yet.
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Of course it doesn’t end with the birds but sea creatures themselves where discarded lines and nets trap and kill them too. Humans are quite inhuman really. Poignant and telling post Brenda.
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Thanks, OE, I agree. Overall, people really are not good stewards of Earth.
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This is a powerful indictment of our modern throw-away culture. Thank you for writing it. Now if only we could change our behavior before it is too late!
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No doubt. There should always be hope, but in this case I think I’ve succumbed to pessimism’s sway.
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I actually forgot this was a wordle. Great writing.
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Thank you, Misky.
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This is a perfect example of rhyme done right! I didn’t even notice it in the first reading. And love the alliteration, too.
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Thank you for your kind words, Linda. It took some work to get the rhyme where I wanted it.
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There are many levels running strongly through this piece..plastic really does sum up the greed and excess we spew out into the world..no amount will ever make us satisfied though..maybe we are as tangled up in our mess as the birds..
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I do think we are just as tangled. Thanks for your thoughtful response, jae rose.
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The image of the moaning albatross now will stay before my eyes for while…very real life images in your poem, acting verbs makes it all move with smells and sounds! Great! ~ I love the video, these birds and Pacific – something I will visit once…
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Thank you, Irene. The video drove this piece. It resonates sadness for me at the importance we give ourselves in the natural order.
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Oh my gosh, Brenda… this is divine… I love the message as well as the lyrical feel here. One of my favorites of yours!
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Thank you, Laurie.
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