Children calling across the schoolyard,

from swing to swing,

on the seesawing seesaw,

in the changing rooms after sport,

out of the school gates,

they whisper and want to

say what’s on their minds,

–

They are no longer innocently playing,

Climate change has made them sweat.

School is too hot to learn in.

Chill them in the winter.

The heatings off so turn in.

Tomorrow we’ll eat!

–

How do you say

you’re frightened

when your books are The Gruffalo or Harry Potter?

You have to be brave,

face your fears,

and so they are afraid in silence,

while leaders deceive in violence.

–

Governments say it is lies,

while their moorlands burn.

Forests blaze with anger at

humans’ greed and nonchalance,

and trees trembling in terror

that their turn is now in balance.

–

Insects and birds become extinct

without a whimper, unnoticed.

–

Politicians plan as if politics is just a hobby,

and then listen to the wrong lobby.

Listening to the children,

they would have to stop,

listening to the trees

would make them drop

their plans for fossils burning.

–

Listening to the bees

they would hear

‘Enough! Enough!

You’ve poisoned and burned us.

Hear the children’ voices

before it is too late and then:

‘Who will tell the bees

you’ve gone?’