This week’s Dispatches from New Motherhood piece is MOTHER ON EARTH, a powerful and heartfelt poem by Georgina Hardy. Georgina writes of the destruction of the planet, and explores how to raise a child, how to live as a family, in the best possible way.
Georgina says ‘I’m worried about the state of the planet and the future of mankind and I’m scared of what future Fern will have and what state the world will be in in 20 years’ time. I do try and be positive and teach Fern about how to look after and be kind to the earth - we’ve already attended five climate justice protests together. Our dream is to buy a plot of land and be as self-sufficient and as low impact as possible. My poem was a way of getting my thoughts and worries down onto paper.’
Of her process, Georgina says, ‘I always try and have a notebook with me wherever I go so I can jot down any thoughts or inspiration. Quite often I would work on my poem whilst walking through the forest surrounded by nature away from any noise or distractions. Mothership writers was the first thing I did for myself since Fern was born.’
You can feel the passion in Georgina’s rhythmic and urgent poem – and the poignancy in the questions it raises.
***
Mother on Earth
Georgina Hardy
It starts with a storm.
I am wandering amongst the Scowles,
above me the wind howls,
at least it's a sign we're still breathing,
a sign that she's listening.
The rivers have swollen,
burst their banks.
Nature has awoken.
I don't blame her for fighting back.
Fires burning,
oceans rising,
rivers flooding,
temperatures soaring.
We are living, growing, loving.
Don't have kids, they say,
overpopulation,
no resources left,
stop reproducing.
Am I selfish for having you?
Completing my own life,
bringing you into a world full of strife.
But you could be the one who saves the world.
Right now you're innocent.
Splashing in puddles,
climbing trees,
hunting for bees with muddy knees,
joy in a woodlouse,
the wind in your hair,
pointing at aeroplanes, that shouldn't be there.
My heart is aching,
trying to be hopeful,
wishful thinking,
wanting, hoping change is coming.
The world is different to when I grew up,
that place no longer exists.
I have to raise you in a different way,
to prevent the earth's decay,
how do I prepare you?
What do I teach you?
We need to be off grid and be sustainable,
but is this even obtainable?
The people in power, they ain't listening,
We need to stand up,
we need to be strong,
they are wrong,
it's a ticking time bomb!
I wish I could be more sure of what you'll face,
could it be the end of the human race?
Could you move to Mars
and live amongst the stars,
or some other planet,
where there are no cars?
Or live in an eco dome under the sea,
or build a castle in an ancient tree?
Be brave, little one, it's up to you.
I am ready for the apocalypse,
and you are too.
***
Mother on Earth by Georgina Hardy appears in the Mothership Writers anthology Dispatches from New Motherhood. All 50 pieces from the book will be published here over the year to come, creating an online library of what it really means – right here, right now – to be a new mother.