‘so the peloton passed’ by Simon Armitage

If I breathed the word that disappeared all people in the world
leaving the world 
to the world
would you say it?
would you sing it out loud?


'the word' by me (quite the coincidence)

If I quietly secretly speak to you the word of enchantment that can depopulate the entire planet of humankind  

would you speak it loud to the wind that it would blow across every landscape cleansing the earth on its gusting breath, 

would you set it free to ride the thermals such that it spirals up and down remixing balance into a newly fresh and transparent sky, 

would you let it dive into the depths and immerse itself below the waves and placid surfaces of every body of water to de-litter and detoxify every single liquid drop?

would you mourn the loss of your brothers and sisters so that biodiversity can flourish and evolve uncorrupted once again?

would you speak such a word of power to return the world to Gaia, to Mother Nature’s control in the absence of every man and woman?

do you want to know that word?

will I tell it you?

will you speak it?

will you?

No?

Then I will.