Saturday 12 March 2016

Have A Care


Humankind is obsessed with its own worth, we acknowledge that we are damaging the environment, we pretend that we care, yet we are naïve enough to believe that replacing ancient rain forests with palm oil trees is an acceptable trade.

This poem aims to highlight the biggest threat to our species, a threat which receives far less media attention than it deserves, for when the true impact of humankind on the environment is realised; the media’s bias towards; religion, politics, nationality and human rights pails into insignificance.

Have A Care

I don't care if you’re a Muslim
I don't care if you’re a Jew
I don't care if you’re Christian
Syrian, or from Crew.
If your L-B-G-T
they're all fine by me,
because I believe
we're all humanity.

From the tycoon in her ivory tower
to the orphan on the street.
A rebel fighting government
the girl I've yet to meet.
The Inuit in the high north,
the Bajau on the sea,
we all share the basic right
to live a life that's free.

It’s a right we share with nature
with beasts, the birds and bees,
the creatures of the ocean
and yes; the plants and trees.
From tiny little microbes
to the might of the great blue whale,
the spider hanging in its web
and the humble garden snail

Yes, we share that basic right,
to live a life that's free
but we humans also have;
a responsibility;
to mind the world we live in,
to mind the air we share,
to keep the oceans pure and clear,
and above all show we care.

so; I don't care if you’re a Muslim
I don't care if you’re a Jew
I don't care if you’re Christian
Syrian or from Crew.
If your L-B-G-T
that's ok with me
but if you insist on damaging
this world that all life shares
we're going to have a problem
because I'm someone who cares.

John Carré Buchanan
12 March 2016


If you click on the link below you can listen to me read this poem.



This poem is linked to Poets United.

36 comments:

  1. Very good poem John!

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  2. Richard Fleming25 March 2016 at 17:31

    Fine poem, John. Splendid sentiment. I rather liked the un-stereotypical tycoon. R.

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    1. Thank you Richard, I'm glad you liked it. All the best JB

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  3. Again I've enjoyed reading your poetry

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    1. Thank you very much Julian, I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.

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  4. Very well put. We need such voices more.

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    1. Thank you Sumana, I wish more people would realise the impact we have and be prepared to actually do something about it.

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  5. "From tiny little microbes
    to the might of the great blue whale,
    the spider hanging in its web
    and the humble garden snail" OH!
    Put this entire poem to music, and let's sing it everywhere as prayer, as welcome, as truth! Thank you!

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    1. Hi Susan, Thanks for your comment I am glad you liked the poem, Oh that I were musicial too.

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  6. deep respect and humble bow John.

    Happy Wednesday

    much love...

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  7. Yes, every word and line resonates with me. I am struggling to write this morning along those same lines but the words are not flowing. We are already feeling Mother Earth's response to our wanton disregard and the cost of ignoring her the past 50 years is going to be very high. I applaud your poem.

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    1. Hi Sherry, Thank you for your kind comment, I hope the words start to flow soon.

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  8. Yes! Is my heart's reaction to your words. Let us not care abou our differences or our supposed superiority - let us care about Mother Earth. Thank you for your words.

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    1. Hi Myrna, Thank you for your comment. I am glad you appreciate the message my poem sends.

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  9. Hi John, I know I've read this one before, but so nice to re visit it. Great to see you posting at Poets United.

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    1. Thanks Julian, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for pointing me at Poets United.

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  10. Excellent poem I agree with every word in this great poem

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    1. Hi Marja, Thank you for your kind comment. I am glad you liked the poem.

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  11. Very well put and creatively written. Together we can do it...

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    1. Thank you Martin, I am glad you liked the poem.

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  12. Yes, from microbes to giants...a well-put poem!!

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    1. Hi Sreeja, Thank you for your kind comment I'm glad you liked it.

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  13. I like the rhyme and the sentiment ...everyone is fine as long as they respect the environment...Ha, you are going to have a problem with a lot of people...not in the poetry world of course. I think environmental protection would be something that all the poets would unanimously support.

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    1. Hi Rallentanda, Thank you for your comment. I guess having spent most of my life moving around the world, as an expatriate child and then as a serviceman I have learnt to respect other people's views but I will never respect someone who deliberately harms the environment.

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  14. You say, in another comment, that you are not musical. Your poem begs to differ that reality. Your words speak truth to a music anyone can hear. Just keep singing,

    Elizabeth

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    1. Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for your comment, you are very kind, I'll get the vocal chords tuned up ;-)

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  15. "...we humans also have;
    a responsibility;
    to mind the world we live in,
    to mind the air we share,
    to keep the oceans pure and clear,
    and above all show we care." Absolutely!! We are not rocks, not islands—we are connection, kindness, and underneath it all joy!! I have personally come to discover that we are only happy when we are growing and giving.
    Beautiful poem, john!

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    1. Thank you Panchali for your kind comment. I am glad that you liked my poem and also that you appear to share my belief that we are not masters of the world but a part of it.

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  16. I want to stand on a chair on one foot - bang a tambourine and shout BRAVO!

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    1. Hi Pearl, Thank you for your kind comment. If you do end up standing on one foot on a chair with a tambourine, please take care... but send a photo;-) I am so glad you liked the poem.

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I really appreciate constructive feedback. If you are able to comment it would be most grateful.