Una hora menos

  The last chapter He turned the pages one by one  He enjoyed the reading in the sun The book of life was his own Years and months and days had flown.  Over years he lost some friends Neighbors and relatives had met their end But nothing before prepared him quite When the last chapter came in sight.  Another chapter had always lurked ahead When he turned off the light beside his bed Every night for eighty years This book that never ended.  Imagine his surprise and dread  When no more chapters lay ahead He watched in horror as a page a day  Turned in his book, time wouldn’t stay Neither time nor tide waits for any one  Our time is rationed under the sun. 

  It’s over now It’s over now the battle’s lost To save the world from climate change Mankind will suffer and survive As it’s done before but with smaller numbers.  Not all is lost but quite a lot The poor and innocent will take this hit Stuck where they’re born while wealthy wasters Leave their problems to the ones who come behind. My eyes are lifted to the mountains high That rise above the sea and touch the sky Beyond the palm trees on the fairway We glimpse Mount Teide climb above the ranges.  All has changed before and will change again Good to be alive to watch bad golf Along the ninth that passes by my balcony Commune with simple souls that strike a ball Around a strip of grass contained by garden walls. 

  Two terraces and a kettle The sea is heard above the silence That has fallen on an evening land  When sounds of man fall silent And the ocean claims its hour.  Now is the time when crickets fill The dying hours with their strident calls With sounds that promise summer heat And lazy days beneath the sun.  Houses flicker with warm lights Before the western sky grows dark All is well and all is calm In this piece of Paradise.  The night has taken over  The ocean chorus sounds much clearer As wounded Nature sounds defiant And recalls the primeval order.