ELEGY TO THE MISSISSIPPI
The river flowed free, proud and alive!
Where steamboats and adventure could thrive.
Abundant life flourished below- electric!
Sparkling bio-soup, naturally selective.
The pageant of forest and lush moisture merging,
Rushing, providing, enriching, converging.
This enriching scene is a past delusion,
Marred by carcinogens in toxic confusion.
Years of dumping and pumping in waste
Has created a grimy noxious paste,
Radioactive sludge, Mercury, and dioxin
Created a concoction- a vile toxin!
Mainlined into the river's jugular vein;
Evaporating into clouds of acid rain.
Seeping into the Gulf's dead zone- pollution,
While, our better conscience seeks a solution.
Truly the Spirit of the river is dead,
Exploiting humanity hangs its head!