Extinguished hope and forgotten promises

Lines of salt water mar the dust;
Small crevices in the sandy surface.
One, then another the crystal tears fall
Never ceasing, never ceasing down his dirty cheeks.
Surrounded by the wounds of the earth
He collapses inwards, his divided mind frantic,
Pondering over the destructions of humanity
And all that we have done to injure this world.
Seabirds dressed in black silk cloaks, grieving the loss of life,
Watch him from the water’s edge.
Another decaying body rises to the surface,
Glassy eyed and closed gilled, he has swum his last lap.
Animals choke on the ashes on nature,
Inescapable, unforgettable:
Promises broken and left unfulfilled.
Looking further he sees last hope;
The slight dove of freedom striving to stay in flight
In the thick smog that coats the air.
Feathers greying, wings tattered,
The small bird labours one last breath
Before sinking to the poisoned ground,
Light and hope extinguished evermore.