Just read on CBC news that the Doomsday Clock has moved
closer to midnight.
The hypothetical clock measures how close humanity is to
destroying ourselves and the world we live on.
While not exactly uplifting news, it's not surprising that
the clock's hands have been moved. With all the posturing about nuclear war and
climate change denial in the news these past few months, it's more a question
of "what took you so long?"
Here's a link to a CBC story on the topic, for those
interested:
And, in honor of this story, here's a link to a haibun of
mine published in Contemporary Haibun Online in their September, 2017 edition:http://contemporaryhaibunonline.com/pages133/Timpf_TheHorsemen.html
Wouldn't it be great if people come across this poem a few
decades from now, and say, "Imagine that, feeling so close to destruction
back then. We're in much better shape now."
It's possible. Back in 1991, the hands were set at seventeen
minutes to midnight. Still too close, but a bit more breathing room.
Things can change
for the better—we need to believe that, and do what we can to make it so.
For the sake of my grandchildren, I hope we're successful.
