The River

By: Amirah Datwani

the river is full, and blue, and living

the flowers bloom, fresh, forgiving

the landscape breathes

roots entwine, the earth’s lungs build

oxygenated, to the brim they’re filled

the world is free, finally

and it’s not perfect, but it’s healing

nothing can take away this feeling

unless / until

humanity does what it does best 

and lets its greed fill the universal chest

computerises greetings 

for their own ease

decimates opportunity 

and environmental sanctity

in one fell swoop.

the river dies for energy

the gases soar and then regroup

they fall

decaying the flowers and animals and fruit

all in the name of technological pursuit 

the river has dried up now 

only sand and rock left in its memory

the flowers droop in a sickening bow

and plants decompose into dusty ebony.

they’ll hire machines to fix it all up

trade in conservation for artificial grass 

pure air no longer belongs here. it’s unwanted.

the environment is a thing of the past

but the new river will never last.

Rationale: A poem about AI’s effects on the earth, and how the advancement of artificial intelligence is being prioritised over keeping the environment healthy.