Author’s Note: As we move deeper into the 21st century, it becomes increasingly difficult to look towards the continuing freedoms and well-being of future generations with any great confidence.

The UN Conference on Climate Change held in Durban earlier this month has come and gone with barely a whisper. Meanwhile, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels topped 390 ppm last month and continue to steadily rise.

Poem: Failing Breath

The Conference at Durban ended without any binding commitment to set limits to global carbon emissions. Instead, delegates formed yet another committee – the Durban Platform – to deliberate and discuss the present situation among themselves and to present their findings and recommendations in 2015. And we have been heartily assured that the recommendations arrived at will then form the basis for binding commitments to be set in 2020.

Since Copenhagen, we have witnessed a criminal disregard of the gathering storm that confronts us all. Our so-called leaders and their corporate minders are determined to delay action on what will likely become the terminal fever of a now-cancerous civilisation, the attendant destruction of many within the human family and the extinction of vast constellations of our fellow creatures. 

The following poem offers a short reflection on the reality of mortality and the promise of renewal.

When stilled and done of mortal breath

There will remain the wisp of smoke the burst of light

The fragrance sweet the dance of flame

The deeds of day the dreams of night

Look and listen while yet you may.

Journey on and live your days

In patient love one with another

Remember all that’s been and done

And all that which has yet to come.

Mother love sustain through grace

This battered home this broken place

This body scarred this air disturbed

The damage wrought the life perturbed

Keep us close to you this day.

And we will find again the thread

And share the wine and break the bread

And keep to heart the sacred vow

All through the night till morning come.

About the author: Vincent Di Stefano is a retired practitioner of Osteopathy and Natural Medicine, former lecturer in Health Sciences at Victoria University, and author of Holism and Complementary Medicine: Origins and Principles. He maintains an ongoing commitment to exploring the will to healing at personal, social, spiritual and environmental levels through his blog Integral Reflections and his website The Healing Project.