WELL OILED

by George Held


When I see an oil-blackened pelican
In the Gulf, I know I can’t help her
Any more than BP or government can.
But what can I do for those who suffer

In the Gulf? I can’t help the Other
Despite what Buber advised the Self,
So what can I do for those who suffer—
Laid-off shrimpers, riggers, dying wildlife?

Despite what Buber advised the Self,
We are cut off from the Other in the Gulf—
Laid-off clammers, crewmen, gasping wildlife—
Here in New York City, my native turf.

We are cut off from the Other in the Gulf;
Even with no car, even going green
Here in New York City, my native turf,
We have no power over that oily sheen.

Even with no car, even going green,
We depend too much on petroleum
And have no power over that oily sheen
While TV vends Gulf grief ad nauseam.

We depend too much on petroleum,
Not less than BP or government can;
When TV vends Gulf grief ad nauseam
We must see the oil-blackened pelican.


George Held has collected many of his New Verse News poems in The News Today.
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