Poisoned Talk

By Raymond Wilson

Who killed the flowers?

Who killed cock robin?
I, moaned the wind,
I, said the worm,
I prowl unconfined,
I did him great harm.
Blowing acid rain
He died on the branch of a withered tree
Over field, flood and fen.
From the acid soil that poisoned me.
Who killed the forest?
Who killed the heron?
I ensured that it died,
I, mouthed the fish,
Said sulphur dioxide.
With my tainted flesh
And all life within it,
I killed tern, duck and drake,
from earthworm to linnet.
All the birds of the lake.

Who killed the lake?

I, boasted Industry,
I poisoned with mercury
Fish, plant and weed
To pamper mens greed.
a) Who confessed to killing cock robin
(1 mark)

b) Who poisoned the worm?

(1 mark)

c) Who confessed to killing the forest?

(1 mark)

d) What does the last line (line 25) tell us about the power of the killer? Give reason for your answer.

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(1 mark)