Gail Tirone
Prayer for a Warming Planet
May the ice caps remain solid
may the permafrost stay frozen
reliably there
at the top of the world.
May the whales continue
to sing and spout
may fish still frolic in the seas.
May California return
as a basket of bounty
berries, figs and dates
arbours ripe with grapes
instead of scorched-earth wildfires
and biblical droughts.
May the waters of Venice calm
and not flood the cathedrals
may Piazza San Marco have
no need of planks
poised above rising tides
may tourists mingle
with locals in the cafes
over pastries and latte
watching the pigeons flutter
and children play.