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Oil Spill on Beach 50.jpg

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.

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