I Can’t Find Any Four-Leaf Clovers: A Poem For Our Planet

I can’t find any four-leaf clovers

Kiah Tooke writes a poem for our planet

In my garden I can’t find any more four-leaf clovers, The grass is all dried up and torn away now. The waves that used to calm me crash violently, Getting closer and closer until I think I’m going to drown. You say I watch too many science fiction films and roll your eyes. The summer air has become so foggy I can hardly see, A bit like a photo when it’s slightly out of focus. Finally, a hot summer’s day you shout excitedly, I can’t understand because the forecast said snow. The trees whisper in a language I no longer recognise. Every time it pours the water creeps higher into my shoes, And now the fan only works on the highest setting. You tell me not to worry, That it’ll fade like a footprint in the sand. Our kaleidoscope is running out of colours. The nights get harder to sleep through, I used to count the stars, but I can’t see them now.

I know this is not just all in my head.

This helplessness burns in the back of my throat for days, In my garden I can’t find any more four-leaf clovers.

By Kiah Tooke Ilustrations and Page Design by Philippa Stazicker