Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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May We not lose Our Joshua Trees! The Human-augmented climate crisis is taking its toll everywhere. What seems at first just subtle shifts of the environment, Suddenly explode in our face, manifesting pending disaster. Such is the plight of the Joshua Tree-- That Doctor Seuss-like succulent with its comical, upright 'arms'. They are dying from the worst drought in more than a thousand years. Beyond that, housing developments have divided reproducing populations, And now wildfires have increased across their desert. Developers in the region are concerned that their activities will be encumbered. And opposing environmental groups are concerned About the total demise of this unique organism. This scenario is just a small manifestation Of the thousands of potential conflicts which will 'raise their heads', As we earthlings proceed further into the misty unknown Of what our exploding human population has created. We must teach our children, the inheritors of this terrible creation, So that they better understand and can possibly cope And intellectually ameliorate the huge challenges they will face. At 82, I only wish I could 'stay around' To aid them in a problem I have helped create! I am so sorry. Frank Maurer 8 July 2023 1700 Hours.