A Place to Erect Your Commercial Shopping Development

And what happens if it’s just not feasible?

Good luck finding another place to live.

Melodramatic much? Ooh, a comedian!

You really wanna tell yourself that?

THAT would not be a problem…duplex in the Keys, townhouse in London, beachfront cottage in the Phillippines—

—And right there, proof of every cluelessness ounce inside you. Self-centered and pathetic actually.

I seem to have touched a nerve and regret any offense caused, but the benefits here are enormous.

Let me guess. It’ll provide jobs, raise the standard of living, increase tourism, be great for the economy—

—Impressive! And that’s only the beginning!

No, it’s really not. It’s the end.

But they’re a couple of trees, a negotiation point since there are other trees.

It’s not a negotiation when you’re determined to have your way. Again. Fly the flag of corporate interests as a cheap, overused veneer for community regeneration and this conversation ends.

We can replant trees. Hundreds. Simply say when and where.

So that in ten, twenty, or fifty years someone just like you returns to the ‘negotiation table’ with another proposal like I ain’t seen this ish before.

We can poll the residents. Collect hard data. Find ecological environmentally aware methods and ethically sourced materials.

Explain that to the ten vixens in square miles radius due to birth cubs this year. The twelve species of birds (two of which are nearly endangered) who’ve nested and hunted here since before you were born. Delicate muntjac deer, ever faithful spirits who graze the morning mist amongst daises and dandelions. Tell the crocus and violets that dream sunbursts of spring after counting absent dark moons. Tell—

—Okay, okay, I see where you’re going with this and I sympathize deeply but give me something. Tell me what I can take back to the Board of Directors.

Tell them I’m not for sale at any price. ‘Take it or leave it’ regards, Mother Earth.

Thank you for taking the time to read my first dialogue poem for the Vocal Dialogue Poetry Challenge.

This was waaaay outside my poetry repertoire but with awkward clumsiness and all, I decided to try and convey an important message. I'm ultra-appreciative for your bearing witness to that.