An iceberg breaks off of Antarctica like a star that the sky couldn’t keep for herself, too weighted with water and gas, leaving a hole sized like Greater London, but, good news, “Not climate change,” the scientists say. But there’s other reason for alarm.
***
dVerse, The Sunday Muse, Twiglets, and Terrible Poetry Contest
Jewish Young Professional 
Reblogged this on Some View on the World and commented:
In which way are people in the Western world interested in the vast iceberg, which is nearly 600 square miles (1550 sq km), that broke free from the 492ft-thick(150m) Brunt Ice Shelf on Sunday, so far away from their bed? It is not the first one that calved from the shelf and drifted into the Weddell Sea.
Oh, so many still do not want to hear or see….
Until now Antarctica has lost more than three trillion tons of ice, leading to rapid global sea-level rise. Several countries are already facing their beaches and waterfront agricultural land flooded and salinated by sea water.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was also surprised to learn that this is not the first time that an iceberg broke off of Antarctica
LikeLike
Awfully enough that happens already a few years, the same as many glaciers are diminishing since more than a decade, and not enough people take that serious. This year there were also some people who found death by ice breaking off its solid ice mass.
LikeLiked by 1 person
According to the article, icebergs breaking off like this is not an abnormal occurrence. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t impacts. I was not aware of the deaths you mentioned.
LikeLike
I wish the major news media would cover this better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was my first time taking a news story and turning it into a poem
LikeLiked by 1 person
It worked out quite well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
you rocked it, JYP ~ well, well done!
~David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Who knew the news could be so poetic?
LikeLike
“I get all my news from JYP.” – Me, at cocktail parties
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is the best compliment I have ever received! I wish you amazing cocktail parties!🍷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done! That is a big chunk of ice! Shall we all move inland as the water rises?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a large chunk of ice. And such an oddly-specific way to describe the size. I admit I pulled that description right from the article!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is lyrical poetry meets journalism with an amazing structure. I’ve never read anything like this. Really well written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m flattered and honored by this praise! I must let you in on a secret – the structure was actually inspired by Chel Owens’s Terrible Poetry Contest prompt (a form where each line needed a prime number of syllables in sequences) – the iceberg-like structure was an unintentional bonus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome. It’s amazing that the prime number structure ended up looking like an iceberg! I’ve enjoyed participating in Chelsea’s contest over the years (albeit intermittently). I love the themes she comes up with. So much so, that I satirised the whole thing on my blog (with her permission of course). Shame I’ve won it only once though. A long time ago when it was in its nascent stages. I did participate in the prime number prompt. Here’s hoping I can win it again lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just discovered this contest, and I love the concept. Sometimes, we poets just take ourselves too seriously, you know? Congrats on your Terrible Poetry Contest win! I’m hoping this one is sufficiently terrible to merit an honorable mention. Best of luck to you this round too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My terrible poetry win is a very small achievement compared to some legends who’ve won three or four in a row. One even got to guest judge the contest. Yeah poets really do take themselves far too seriously. Here’s wishing you the best of luck too. I think my poem though terrible isn’t funny enough. So, I don’t really have my hopes high. So, I’m be glad if you win. Better a newbie than the old timers lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll* And also this poem isn’t terrible at all in my opinion. I like it a lot. So I guess it’s the old timers winning again lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 flattered and honored by your praise of my terrible poetry fail. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I won! I won the terrible poetry contest! How cool. And you made the honourable mentions. So cheers 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Congrats, Ordinary Person!! I am so proud of you! 🎉And I am pleased to see that I have achieved my terrible poetry contest honorable mentions goal! Cheers to us both🥂. I look forward to the next one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poetry that is both funny and terrible can actually be quite tricky to write. Humor has a way of making the terrible poetry less terrible. In any case, may the most terrible poet, newbie or experienced, win!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even the sky can’t always hold on to things. Or maybe the star was keen to go. Either way, it’s gon to be rainin’ outdoors.
–Shay
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greater London-sized stars always do want to move on to bigger and better oceans, right? It’s just how it goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently read an article about this. Apparently “warm” (barely above the temp where salt water freezes) water is flowing under the base of the glacier. It was first discovered by an elephant seal equipped with a sensor and they later sent a robot to explore further. Now human explorers will visit to try to learn more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is fascinating. I had no idea that “warm” water can be found under the glacier. Or that elephant seals can get research jobs. The things you learn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, darling. Shabbat Shalom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that opening!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can barely take credit – got it from the news story! But I’m glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. You dag. The news story part is just a statement of fact. What made it a great opening was the simile you attached to it: “like a star that the sky couldn’t keep to herself”. By the way, in case it doesn’t come across in text, when I say “you dag” like that it is how I would say it with laughing affection to a good friend. So please don’t take offence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am laughing along with you! Also, “you dag” might be regional, as I have never heard this expression. If it is offensive, I would have no idea, but I would be laughing along with you anyway. I figured you were referring to the simile (it’s my favorite line too!) and I was just joking around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really love what you did with the image, the news story and your poem. Magnificent my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to say the synergy between the TSM image and the news story just worked really well. Thank you for providing part of the inspiration.
LikeLike
I think icebergs will break off every now and then… (a glacier flows) but if it gets too much there is cause for concern
LikeLiked by 1 person
The quoted scientists in the article agree with you. I admit I had to take a bit of poetic license towards the end there…
LikeLike
I like how you made the lines longer as the poem goes, mirroring the iceberg. I’m usually not a fan of “shape poems” but this one works. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll tell you (and the entire internet) a secret – the shape aspect of this was driven by the Terrible Poetry Contest guidelines! The Terrible Poetry Contest prompt was to write a form poem where each line needed a prime number of syllables in sequences – an iceberg-shaped poem was a happy accident!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There I go again perceiving meaning in sequences of prime numbers. Sorry about that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is meaning in all things, even the unintentional happy accidents. Don’t apologize!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that is big news and a big chunk of ice! I liked the way the shape of the poem drew my attention and thanks for sharing this information.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I must admit that the article gave me the oddly specific “Greater London sized” description. And thank you for providing part of the prompt inspiration.
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Works very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“a star that the sky couldn’t keep / for herself” – that’s great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that line too, thanks!
LikeLike
Beautifully done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] by Jewish Young Professional […]
LikeLike
I’m so glad you found the contest! Yours is too good for terrible, unfortunately(?) but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for running the Terrible Poetry Contest – I think it is a brilliant concept, and it provided so much inspiration for this piece. I am honored with my second place honorable mention, and I am so glad that you enjoyed this terrible poetry fail! I look forward to participating in the Terrible Poetry Contest again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to reading more of your writing, (intentionally) terrible or not. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person