Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Poetry 2020complete | Page 23

The Greater Bay Area
Kau Yan School, Wong, Lok Yan – 11
If it were really up to me to control and wield power over destiny
I would still give the green light and go ahead
With the Great Bay Area, but instead
Of focusing on the economy
And all of that technology
I would create a country all shades of green
A natural paradise worthy of my dream:
The returns will not be short-sighted, measured in
gold bars, diamonds and cash fountains
BUT the returns will ensure the survival of
our the next generation that are beloved
Behold! Greater Nature shall be its name
And the following shall be its aim:
The first law I’d put in order
No more sea creatures to the slaughter
Oil-slicked and murky waters
Pumped with wastewater effluent
Plastic pellets in the sea
rubbish mountains that we see
turquoise water sparkling
Pink dolphins whistling
Sea beds filled with coral reefs
Seaweed drifting like a leaf
No more oil spills to be seen
This will happen if we turn green
Factories spewing plumes of smoke
If this happened how can we not choke
Smoky cinders everywhere
Mother Nature with its glare
Banning pollution is the way
Pristine air is for the stay
Take a deep breath and let it out
This is paradise without a doubt.
Dry and cracked, the plain, flat ground
No plants in miles to be found
Building machines tearing up trees
Animals screaming: stop it please!
Fertile soil everywhere
Animals living there and there
Plants and flowers blooming in fields
All the withered flowers will be healed
Climate change is exacerbating
Wild weather patterns are demonstrating
That the excessive harm humans cause
Have a dire need to be paused