At the latest FLEAT workshop which took place in Zimbabwe from the 28th September – 2nd October, participants were invited to the Fatima Zaahra School for a whole day programme on climate change and living in harmony with nature. The day included drama, poetry and speeches, as well as a tree planting ceremony. Here are the poems that were performed by the pupils.
The Dark Dream
By Hussein Nyanguru
Is this real
Am I dreaming
Maybe I am another dimension
Is this planet the planet I know?
Is this the planet Earth?
Yes it is!!
So why is it full of misery
Full of fire, choking gases, smoke and chained blades
Chained blades?
Yes! Chained blades
The ones which killed Mr Dove, Mr Owl and Mr Snake
Where is the togetherness we used to have
Suddenly a cool breeze blew my fares
Realizing that it was only a dream
Is it you
Was it you?
Will it be you?
The one who is destroying,
The one who is destroyed,
Will you continue destroying, the land of hope for those who are hopeless
Opening my eyes with sadness
Sadness with anger, as I take a glance at the reality which was full of danger
Forever and ever causing danger
Settling human’s anger
Do not think that you are clever
So keep peace and cleanliness with you forever
As we live in harmony with nature
Do you Realise
by Albert Hasan Nheya
As I realize
As I know
As I understand
Do you realize
Do you know
Do you understand
Do you realize
That I am the supporter of your life
The source of your survival
If you don’t then realize
Do you realize that to run your industries you need my products
To protect yourself
You need my shelter
You need my land to survive
If you don’t then realize
Does mankind realize that we are important
Yes we are!
And yes we are the origin of their wealth
The origin of their survival the inhabitants of many helpless creatures
STOP polluting our thirst extinguishers
Opening our veins like threads
Together we can survive
And yes we can survive
If only we live in harmony with nature
Did I become that useless that you keep on destroying my inhabitants’ future
Did my products become unsustainable that you destroy them
Have I really become that useless to you
Do you realize
That your future depends on me
That your life is hinged on my survival
I am the only planet that supports life
The acquired, reliable tool for human
My features are so unique and beyond comparison
As you called me Mother Earth