WASHED AWAY

once there was a tranquil refuge
nestled in a fertile valley
watered by cool mountain rivers
shaded by enchanted forests
birdsong greeted the rising sun
through the air floated peach blossom
the woods were home to exotic beasts
the fish leapt high from silver streams

but a people settled on the land
they built their houses and their farms
they built their mines and their factories
they felled the trees and replaced them with chimneys
the sun beat down upon the earth
the withering crops began to burn
the farmers begged and prayed for rain
the larders were running low on grain

oh arboretum
garden of morning calm
your cascades of crystal water
your forests of shady paths

the lakes and rivers began to run dry
children grew sick and babies died
a chemical cocktail filled the air
people wrung their hands in despair
the soothsayers warned of impending doom
the leaders declared 'business as usual'
the people were confused not knowing what to think
as their civilization approached the brink

crimson clouds filled the dawn sky
an inauspicious omen from up high
the gods had decided to take their revenge
there was no time to make amends
the rain poured down upon the land
the rivers swelled and burst their banks
untold thousands were caught in the deluge
they tried to flee but there was no refuge

washed away
washed away
washed away
washed away

oh polluted eden
where did you go wrong?
your streams of liquid silver
turned to stagnent ponds