The Sinking Island

Two brothers stand

On a sinking island

Ankle deep in the sea

They fight and deny

One another’s cries

And doom each other’s destiny

“I tamed this land and sky and sea

Turned dragon bones into dark bread

To feed my flivver and machinations

Warmed my house with forests ages dead

And transformed it into a modern mansion

But my burning poisoned land and sky and sea

So don’t follow the path I have run

I beg you change your harmful ways

And see what damage I have done

Lest the island end its days”

“You had your turn

Now it is my time to burn and pave

Have machines pluck every fruit and fish and bird I can

And throw my refuse to the waves

You cannot stop my rightful plan

My children have a right to land and sky and sea

To a warm house and water and food

You cannot stop our progress

What I do is for their good

I will never bow to your duress”

Two brothers stand

On a sinking island

Waist deep in the sea

They fight and deny

One another’s cries

And doom each other’s destiny