Hispaniola_ Environmental Wish Poem by Chris Lane

Hispaniola, my old companion as I remember you.
Buccaneers paradise, Spanish Main first seed sown
replenishing supplies before the long voyage home.

Coordinates are set
westwards as we sail
homewards towards Jamaica
Ocho Rios before nightfall.

Glancing over my shoulder
Reflections cast anew
Along your splendid mountain chain
You startle me! Split in two.

Your one side forested and green
Your other side stripped clean
barefaced rock, gray barren
deforested by an over dependent population.

Your beauty has been threatened
due to environmental degradation
corrections are now necessary
in our environmental understanding.


(Calac)