Michael Camara: An ode to the Central Valley

What is a bubble,

Often produced when politicians and economists muddle.

When purchased land is allowed to lie fallow,

Because reservoirs and dams are depressingly shallow.

Water once captured and channeled for crops,

Flows to the sea in acquiesce to lops.

Our predicament worsened by demands of the aqueduct,

A means of thievery that leaves us depleted and sucked.

It’s a concrete snake that gluttonously takes,

Water transfers from North to South she makes.

There is talk of a California almond bubble,

Though an agricultural commodity in demand knows no trouble.

Whether tulips, tech stocks, or real estate,

Man’s thirst for “more” is constant and shan’t abate.

What becomes of us all: the tree staker, the nut shaker, and market maker?

Who gives a dam, just focus on the now and plant another acre.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Michael Camara: An ode to the Central Valley."