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This poem was published at The Bees Are Dead in October 2018

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For sale,

Planet Earth,

The Solar System,

Orion Arm,

The Milky Way.

This planet,

filled with abundant life

and suggestion of spirit-force,

is slightly used

but has great potential.

Prospective buyers will notice

some wear at the Poles,

difficulty with the air-conditioning,

considerable habitat loss, 

coral bleaching,

and species extinction

due to short-term thinking

from the dominant species.

Repairable with care and planning,

the site retains much natural beauty.

In particular, the dome 

remains largely untouched,

ethereal blue by day,

stained-glass beauty 

morning and evening, 

diamond-studded velvet quilt at night.

Other features include 

snow capped mountains,

vast oceans that crash on cliffs

or curl and slap on sand, 

rivers that rush, fall, roar, meander,

and a dazzling array of vegetation

too varied to list.

But hurry.

A myopic beast called “Corporation”,

caring little for plunder and greatly for profit,

is intent on consuming everything in the yard.

All responsible buyers are welcome.

Please organise inter-galactic

visiting rights before inspection.