Ode to Posterity

One hot summer fifty-five men

With formal, grueling austerity,

Met to form our Constitution--

And a nation for their Posterity

Common defense and liberty,

Justice, welfare, tranquility,

Were through this edict guaranteed

For Ourselves and our Posterity.

But half of this we’ve been resisting:

To protect their popularity

Congressmen act for those existing

And forget about Posterity.

Energy, climate, nuclear war--

Laws pass with such celerity;

Health, education, drilling offshore--

We are hurting our Posterity.

Slow down, O hasty lawmaker!

With some foresight and clarity

Conserve our world, safeguard each acre,

For long-forgotten Posterity.

The Constitution, our holiest script,

Entreats us toward prosperity.

Protect living world, not deathly crypt!

For Ourselves and our Posterity.