Today people across the world are marching for the future. They are all on a #climatestrike. Next week 27th we are holding a climate march here in The Netherlands. My thoughts are with everyone out there. I thought I’d share a (related) poem I wrote earlier this year. Do let me know what you think. The poem is also published on my work web site: https://www.butterflyeffect.io/
Long in the making
It would be clay, Viktor said.
perfect for designing our new home, because
we should go away.
Away from the hectic, into the quiet.
so clear about our next destination, out there
my love.
The city, its culture, its cafés, its clashes,
duality – the hymn
I love.
Viktor said
enough was enough
he would take up flying, like an eagle.
I said
we are needed here, disruptors
work the transformation, wait.
There are 17 SDGs
sustainable development goals, which
the power brokers agreed upon
Water, energy, poverty goals,
education, gender equality, climate action,
can’t tackle one without the other
It’s all a system
we need systems change
take a systemic approach
2025 is looming
2025 is dooming
I agreed,
to take the chance
go off the grid
We had been long in the making
2013 Amsterdam, Dam Square, climate protests.
people holding mikes, shouting
‘There is no planet B!’
On my way to a restaurant
meeting colleagues
caught in the middle of the climate crowds.
and
Viktor
dark brown hair, tiny ponytail, dark glasses
tight jeans, T-shirt, All Stars
colliding with
me
long blond hair, big ear rings,
little black dress, stiletto’s
paralysed
by
Viktor
who had taken my hand
big eyes, raised eyebrows, grins, fellow protesters
I melted into the march
my transition had begun
I left my banker
resigned from Obyx Consultants
joined Fashion Transition
It had been long in the making
Viktor would walk. Deep dive nature hiking
forest bathing
he’d go all environmental, ecological.
I would dance. Dance like I had never danced before.
dance like a dervish.
I’d go all Sufi, hippie, witchy.
Three weeks ago I drove my Toyota Prius for the last time
bought a mushroom dress
had lunch in the Amsterdam Tower
I had been long in the making.
Inge Wallage 