I wrote this in 2005 when Gleneagles in Scotland hosted a G8 meeting. My wife and I were on a cycling holiday in Holland and our son was at University in Edinburgh. Funny how I should unearth this poem shortly before Scotland hosts another international get together; COP 26, The United nations Climate Change Conference. I sincerely hope the disappointment that followed the G8 in 2005 is not repeated in 2021. I’m not holding my breath though.
G8 I’m in Holland Cycling along the dykes And marvelling at how The sea is kept at bay. My son is in Edinburgh, Marching with the thousands, Each fighting, in their own way, Against the tide. Not much sign of poverty In these Dutch villages, The fertile polders, a far cry From parched Africa. But are we so different, My son and I? Stephen with his vision Of saving the World, And me, with my vision Of a million people Each with a finger Stuck firmly in the dyke. Derek Ross
I would say that this is a timeless poem.
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Brilliant and thought provoking for this moment. Hope we do more than put a finger in the dam 🙏
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Great social commentary!
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