Approaching Hades Poem by Adrian Flett

Zeus is the sky
Poseidon the sea
Hades the underworld
Gaia the solid earth, ours
all ours, along with sky and sea.

Nature red of tooth and claw
is pitted against humanity's law
by the abuse, overuse we abhor.
We afflict our unique gift Gaia
Inflict harm on all we own.

There seemed no initial reason
no need to worry they claimed,
just vagaries of nature's seasons
merely erratic climatic behaviour;
so many other places to lay blame.

No politician was brave or stupid enough,
even if knowing the truth, to make a fuss.
Those who greed have no need
to alter or cause to falter what succeeds;
leave the youth to salvage damage done.

At first they called to look away
saw no need to reduce coal gas and oil
kept going while profits soared.
Those same now fill the queue to call
for vital action, at first ignored.

There's no resolve In The Good Intentions Lounge
it's packed rather with still-born foul foetuses.
The stench of putrid unfulfilled promises
fills the air; from it all there seems no escape
beyond the gallows of this tree denuded scape.

Approach to Hades quickens
as wasted options, fetid now
litter The Lounge's corners of conceit
with foul hot stench of unresolved intent
cause the demise of efforts spent.
20/10/2021