Still clinging to the grains of sand remains
a hope of one and half degrees, unburned
its fossil carbon, drops still left undrained.
Today, on paper signed, a lesson learned:
when evidence is given we might act
to save this grain in universe, our soil,
and maybe trust the scientists whose facts
are telling us to leave, untouched the oil
still waiting in the voids between the grains
of sand, as earth’s the flower in our hands.
The Baku Oil Fields by Konstantin Bogaevsky
I know it’s hard to be hopeful, but the signature on an agreement to control carbon emission is a reason to celebrate. Let us keep up the pressure on our politicians to deliver on their promises. Oilsand is one of the remaining sources of fossil fuel, let us leave it where it is, which is exactly how we can see (and save) the world in a grain of sand. This is 10 line sonnetina for Kerry’s prompt at toads, I will link this one up at Poetry Pantry as well.
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December 12, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Right on, Bjorn. Now if the nations will ratify it. The U.S. with a unified Congress against conservation will not, I predict.
I like your picture and the song. We generally stay a few nights in Paris when we come to France. Most times we fly there and rent a car to leave town. Sometimes we stay in London and take the Chunnel train.
In my post, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is a baroque French château located in Maincy, near Melun, 55 kilometres (34 mi) southeast of Paris. We visited it in 2009 when I took the picture in the basement museum there.
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“earth’s the flower in our hands” Beautiful thought. I don’t know, greed is strong in men.
It is nice to see a bit of hope indeed coming out of Paris. These signatures have been a long time in coming. One step at a time.
This is wonderful, both the sonnetina and the sentiments. It’s sad to see what we have done and continue to do to our world. I have to hope for change.
Things are looking bad for us here in South Africa with a president that’s gone rampant with greed and power. Our economic situation is really dire and to worry about carbon footprints is not on our list of important things to consider.
It is a non binding agreement, so we just cross our fingers and hope for some real action.
The agreement does give us some hope at least. Now we must keep our governments compliant with what they have signed. Very pertinent and timely post Björn.
maybe there’s hope yet for this planet…
Perfect for the summit about global warming.
Beautifully conveyed -and the painting reminds us of what seems a timeless war between humankind and the planet..when will we ever realise we need it more than it needs us! But yes..hope in the Paris agreement
hope good sense prevails…
Amen.
Leave the tar sands in the sand. Every last dirty grain.
Such a moving poem!!
Yes–a step. Cool poem. k.
I often wonder why it is that the world’s leaders pay so little heed to what the scientists are telling them. Maybe it does not pay them to be attentive.
The oil source of the future of abundance in US and Canada which is now perhaps reason for over-supply and drop in oil price. It’s giving the Arabs a run for their money. US and Canada may not want to keep it intact to disregard a clear advantage. Incisive thoughts Bjorn!
Hank
If more of us pushed and continued to push, then I hope that “hope” might become something easier to hold on to.
Yes, beginnings, even when they seem like just something happening on paper, are great things to celebrate. ♥
If only! I love the sense of solemnity in this Bjorn–and also of reverence. I wish oil did not make so many people so much money–it is killing us, and no one seems to care enough to stop them–I hope this pact will help.
Yes a reason to celebrate but I hope minds are open to more that needs to be done….incredible poem!
Earth the flower in our hands..let us hope we treat it with care..so sad when petals begin to fall..
I love the closing lines, I think we should daily be reminded of them!
Beautifully done, Bjorn…”earth’s the flower in our hands”. What the bigwigs dont seem to recognize is that switching to clean energy sources will provide employment and boost the economy, as well as giving earth a much needed break. Thanks for this hopeful note. At least they reached consensus and signed something. But am not sure self-policing and “checking in every five years” is strong enough. At least something has been accomplished, though, reason for hope.
The best thing is that finance will withdraw from oil and coal..
Amen to that! Hopes for future prosperity in the developing world now rest on bold initiatives.
Good reminder in words, the hope for planet…
Your poem celebrates a hopeful breakthrough . let the flower bloom
Interesting video
Thanks for dropping in at my Sunday Lime
Much love…
I love the idea ‘between the grains of sand.’
I love the painting you include. It really hits your message home, and adds a nice additional depth to the piece.
I just got up to speed on the news and it is reason to celebrate! When I wrote my haibun yesterday I wasn’t even aware of what had happened…
“when evidence is given we might act
to save this grain in universe, our soil,”
Powerfully worded indeed…all. Cheers to hope. 🙂
Let’s hope that this grows into real and committed action.
Elizabeth
I think this is about a couple who fell in love in Paris, ending up getting married. But now they’re divorcing, even though they both feel compelled to save the relationship. Neither will stop what’s already in motion because it hurts too much. Better to just let it all go, even if it means the little bit of remaining sand (in the hourglass of their lives) will only offer them sorrow and loneliness. The earth, the flower … that is their child. They will have to focus on that.
A glimmer of hope for our planet … beautifully rendered. An important piece.
Oh, yes. What a timely topic. I hope too, but companies are already taking sand not far from where I live for fracking.
…and we are all guilty of feeding the monster. We all drive, fly, etc. I agree, though. Taking all the oil from the earth – it just can’t be a good thing – it has to have a reciprocal damage – whether it be short or long term or both. Alternative energy just doesn’t make as much money, I guess AND it would take time to implement and people do not want to be slowed down! Sigh. What a mess. Loved the beautiful ending of your poem.
Earth is truly the most patient mother of all.
In this wild ongoing genocide, hope is sometimes all we got left.
I still can’t believe that some people think there is no crisis and that it’s all made up. What’s wrong with them? Nice work!