The Spill
THE ENERGY POLICY ACT
Mary Ann Napoleone
As a newcomer to the Emerald Coast, Mary Ann Napoleone enjoys belonging to the West Florida Literary Federation. She has conducted creative writing workshops for many years, taught at The Ohio State University, the University of Toledo and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Along with joy and love, anger inspires her poetry. The BP atrocity provides that impetus.
“I stood by truth to establish light in the land.” NERUDA
I stand here speaking
one lone truth.
Politicos, profiteers
get drunk, stoned, laid
celebrating partnership.
Energy policy lifts into law
protecting polluters
amassing billions as they drill
fill an endless list of wants
crayons to cameras, curtains
bandages to boats, deodorant, detergents
lipstick, limousines, loudspeakers.
We stand amid shards
of splintered dreams
slivered hearts
lament emerald water!
sparkling sand
salted with our tears
oiled with greed
relentless need for gasoline
plastic bags, golf balls, perfume
credit cards, sunglasses and skis.
Truth is hard, simple, pure.
Convenience is easy, complicated
corrupt as our blackened coast
the kindred politicos and profiteers
who foul our world.