Gregory Itzin - Concrete Causeway
CONCRETE CAUSEWAY
The LA River Basin
Yes, I could be in Wyoming,
Or Montana, doncha know,
But I'm in California, L.A. River,
Watch it flow.
On days when rain comes pouring down
It's swollen, turgid, roiling,
It carries everything with it,
It is dangerous in its boiling,
And folks get fooled and wander in
And swirl and spin and die,
Los Angelenos wring their hands,
Cry ""havoc"". Wonder why...?
On other days it's languid,
It moves steadily downstream...
The silt it settles, river clear,
It seems pristine and clean.
Cranes and cormorants, ducks and geese,
Herons move with stately ease,
I walk along, attempt to tease
Some quiet, large, a river peace.
I see fish along the bottom,
Darting, gliding, poised, and still,
Hiding from our human will;
Aimed to detect, see, into their space.
A concrete waterway, doing an
Imitation of a River...
A concrete construct is L.A.,
Doing its water-stealing imitation
Of a verdant landscape.
Beckoning to the unwary, the unsuspecting,
The easily fooled..."
Gregory Itzin shared his poem with Departures in participation with the StoryShare event, December 4th, 2010.
Support for the Departures is provided through these funders as well as local community partners and viewers like you.
-
CHANGE BEGINS AT HOME
Even with all the efforts for change from political, medical and public health communities, change ultimately begins at home. Consumers must begin to educate themselves and take action toward making healthier more just food decisions.
-
ENSURING A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN
Children face enormous health risks because of the current system; therefore addressing child nutrition in government entities and in the home is critical to foster a new generation that will hopefully make conscious food choices.
-
CHANGE AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL
Food change can easily begin at the community level with community gardens. Not only do these gardens increase food access, but they also transform neighborhoods in need of something beautiful and positive to identify with.
-
THE SMALL FARM SOLUTION: BUILDING A HYPER LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM
Building a hyper local food system will ensure food security for everyone in the urban core, with local farmers once again supplying the city's demand with healthy produce.
flickr.com/kcetdepartures
departures@kcet.org
YouTube.com/Webstories
Leave a comment