I wrote the following poem on the evening of September 21, 2022 after attending a “Conversation” at Ashes & Diamonds winery in the Napa Valley. The presentation—by five winemakers—centered around the topic of sustainability. But, as tears in the audience revealed, it was much more.
I Hope I Remember This Night
By Karen MacNeil
I hope I remember
Before the last Monarch butterfly dies
Before flames incinerate the vines around us
Before drought cracks our throats dry…
I hope I remember
Before the boughs of redwoods burn brown
Before Round Up murders the soil
Before the land stiffens and the seas rise…
I hope I remember
Before flowing wines are replaced by syrup…
I hope I remember this night—September 21, 2022—when five winemakers
Weary from the scorching heat and sheeting rain
Sat under a darkening sky and told us what was coming.
Gathered, we were at a winery called Ashes & Diamonds
But Diamonds to Ashes was where we were headed.
In the audience, listening, it was impossible not to feel guilty—
Impossible not to stare at the ground and ask forgiveness.
This harvest, we thought about death and resurrection. (Carlo Mondavi)
Heat storms have thrown us crashing into the sun. (Steve Matthiasson)
What is happening to our earth is hard to witness. (Diana Snowden Seysses)
We can’t believe that what we are doing now is right. (Mimi Casteel)
What would you do if you weren’t afraid? (Robin Lail)
*************
