So, things are looking up. So why do I feel down?

In a state that’s hostile, a good job I have found.

This state detests the masks, yet my employer asks

‘our students’ to persist with these quite vital tasks.

I fill an interim. You’d think I’d jump for joy.

Yet this place I have found is not for girl nor boy.

For some SO traumatized, sad individuals

make it hard on others through acting on impulse.

When I seek a respite by looking all around,

what I find is bloodbaths, for drought and death abound.

Just where will our earth land and what is the meaning

of all this disregard? Meanwhile, we’re careening …

We’re on the verge of naught, of nothingness, I fear.

But all in all, I’m fine; digging this ‘better’ year.

It is squeaking

it is so freaking

annoying; employing

all the smelly mess, cloying!

Complement of deposing

gov’ment decomposing.

Happy rejoicing:

enrapt choicing!

I’m the troublemaker . . . you ne’er wish to meet.

You bet I’m a shaker, bed down in the heat.

When I feel salacious, flying fast I scamp.

Sure, my word’s fallacious. I’m a primo vamp.

I’ll take up the gauntlet. I will never fail.

Uttering my tauntlets, crudities prevail.

Hungry for some fresh meat? (Sinful grin I flash.)

Crunching bones in my teeth, gleefully I gnash.

Tendrils dangling idly make you wonder why

I fly effortlessly, flutt’ring lobes, my, my!

Hanging by a tendril to this hellish life,

I trod ever downhill, digging all this strife.

My life’s testimony to the scum I am.

I’m an acrimony, a fickle, black lamb.

Compete with my father, as well, with my son.

I’ll beget with fodder from where’er it comes.

Whisk until I’m sixty, rush for many more.

Such is life for pixies, devils to the core.

When fellow citizens and I creep quickly down wet interstate paths in dark, pouring rain, … most are heedful of the dangers. I cling to the steering wheel trying to peer through wet pools to make out faded white lines indicative of our separate ruts. My headlights seem too faint, illuminating next to nothing. We are mostly of one mind.

This is that irresistible time. This overpowering thing is chaotic, like nothing we’ve experienced. If not overwhelmed, we soon will be. It’s fine to change lanes, if need be. Sometimes you have to switch, for the greater good, for the furtherment of all.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Aw.

Aw, who?

Autumn.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Autumn.

Autumn, who?

Autumn leaves.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Autumn leaves.

Autumn leaves, who?

Autumn leaves after autumn leaves leave trees.

If you’re down in the mouth, something’s missing.

When your day’s heading south, just look up.

When your spring lacks its pounce, for you’re weary;

troubles all seem to mount. Then buck up.

Keep your head ever high. Meet those gazes.

With your head thus held high, your head’s up.

Keep your chin in line, too. No digressing;

fight that pout. You must keep your chin up.

If the weeds start to choke, grab your pruners.

Where the ground is all clogged, just dig up.

If your head starts to cloud, clear your vision.

Dig down deep to the roots of your soul.

My emotions dance and swim as you search my face.

My emotions dance and swim as you search my face.

Oh - oh, . . .

Your eyes seem to bathe my very soul.

The sound of your voice soothes my tired, weary mind.

I would like to be so close to you,

beside you every moment.

But you won't let me near.

(I don't blame you, Dear.)

I love you more than ever, . . .

more than ever, . . .

more than ever . . .

I love you more than ever.

(This song I wrote decades ago. There's a haunting melodic accompaniment. Some words' syllables move up and down the scale. The word 'face' at the end of the first line was a trill. These words also moved: "ve-ry"; "Ti-red, wear-y" mind; and "ev-e-ry" moment. I was proud of my song. I sang it once at an audition. The man waited a long while before telling me it was the worst song he'd ever heard. I still cherish it, but my heartache was real. Next to it, his reaction just surprised me and stung a bit, as if my skin had been cut unwittingly.)

The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R.2307 was reintroduced in the House. I think that, or any carbon tax bill, would be a welcome breath of fresh air. I look at the horrific weather events around the globe and feel upset, saddened, and angry. I want to fire up my peers. I lobby my representatives as a member of my local chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL), an environmental conservation organization.

Realistically, as much as I hope to get H.R.2307 passed, it's not practical to get my leaders behind climate change legislation. In my state, it's likely impossible now, due to denial, ignorance, apathy, &/or possibly other seeminly unrelated factors, such as politics.

Even trying to change people's habits en masse seems daunting, an insurmountable challenge. We need to get away from viewing videos on such enjoyable, entertaining sites as YouTube, TikTok, or Netflix. These and similar sites require the most energy use, producing the most carbon emissions. I don't know how to link an article's website. By copying and pasting, you'll find more info in this article: All of your YouTube and TikTok videos are contributing to climate change (greenandgrowing.org).

Supporting a carbon tax bill makes all the sense in the world. So why am I pessimistic that the world won't grasp it? Oh, did I say 'pessimistic'? I'm really just trying to force myself to be 'realistic'. I'll close, before I get myself all choked up. Thanks for the challenge, and that's not sarcastic! It's certainly a topic fit for discussion! Sincerely!