everything we know in our bones
an inverse poem
We should give up
You can’t say
this is still worth saving
You can still love the desert’s deadly sun
but
The rivers are gasping
every time a tree falls by chainsaw
somewhere, a bird cries for home
You know
We were made better than this, though
we’ve spent too many generations dying short of what it takes. But
you’re convinced
there are still things left to love here
among the toxic rot of breakdown
but I know
everything is lost
you’re wrong
and in your worst moments, even you think
as we watch them die in mass graves
the birds are still singing to us
you tell me:
they are begging us not to give up
*
Now read the lines in reverse order, starting with the last line.
About the Creator
Dane BH
By day, I'm a cog in the nonprofit machine, and poet. By night, I'm a creature of the internet. My soul is a grumpy cat who'd rather be sleeping.
Top Story count: 21
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Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Violence Begets
"Any last words, cowboy?" "None you'd understand, sodbuster." "Funny. That's Marshall Sodbuster to you. But I meant some last nugget that would help us in the adjudication of the myriad offenses counted against you and your gang. I wasn't asking for penitence."
By Adam Diehl4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (32)
Nicely done Dane- it flows both ways, and you use some key words to pivot the poem well. “The rivers are gasping” is an example of some excellent imagery throughout 👏
Ahhh, my heart!! This is a simple, powerful poem, and it's so poignant for today's environmental struggles. Thank you for creating this amazing piece and using it to bring up this topic! Congrats on your placement!! <3
This is done magnificently! Wow. What an impactful poem both ways. I think even more in reverse!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Such a poignant reversal! What a reminder- let's rally some hope amidst the 'toxic rot of breakdown.' <3 Congratulations on placing!!
Brilliant concept and a well executed inverse! Well done!
Congratulations on your poem's placement in the Inverse Challenge! Beautifully constructed piece!
Awe-inspiring work! Keep up the remarkable effort—congrats!
This is one brilliant inverse poem❤️ lovee this😍
Love This
Oh, very well done indeed.
Stunning poetry. Congratulations on top story, Dane!
this is truly beautiful, I LOVE the message you are sending. I saw every line, as I read it.
Outstanding, congratulations on Top Story.
Masterful 🖤
Masterfully done!!! Congrats on the Top Story
I love this because it shows the tree destruction we vent on our forests and I hear them scream as their cousins are ripped and crunched. Great piece, congrats!!
💖Congrats on top story! 💖
Oh wow! That is fantastic! congrats on TS!
A sad and important message conveyed perfectly - congrats on the TS!
Whew loved this! Congrats on top story!
Remarkably effective... ;)
Congrats on TS!!!🥳
So that's how you write an inverse poem *takes notes*.
WOA. Very thought out and flawless.