A Better Life

The future belongs to the next generation—

That’s what they say, anyway.

And the way things are these days,

That’s a tall order for twenty-somethings.

We’ve burned out way through

a gazillion gallons of oil.

We’ve sawed out way through

thousands of acres of forestland.

We’ve filled more land with our trash

than our ancestors had for 10 generations.

And this is the legacy we leave to our children?

To the Next Generation?

What happened to our promise

of a “better life” for our kids?

What happened to clean air?

Fresh water? Peace? . . .

What gave us the right

to gorge on our planet’s resources?

Well, like it or not,

here we are.

Hoping that our children,

and their children,

and their children . . .

Can somehow—if not put Humpty Dumpty

back together again—

At least make a tasty omelette

for their trouble.

--Evy Kristensen

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