{"id":1730,"date":"2023-04-19T16:30:11","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T15:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/?p=1730"},"modified":"2023-04-20T10:41:33","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T09:41:33","slug":"suncream-in-december-alison-arkell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/research.reading.ac.uk\/engagement-and-impact\/suncream-in-december-alison-arkell\/","title":{"rendered":"Suncream in December – Alison Arkell"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hear Alison Arkell read her poem ‘Suncream in December’ here:[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/mIHgd2LhvX0″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Suncream in December<\/h2>\n

I want that my kids never need ask why they require suncream in December,
\nOr why the beach is closed, homes lost to flood, foods grown but not fit for harvest.<\/p>\n

I want to be able to look them deep in the eyes and say; \u201cHonestly babies, I tried my best!\u201d
\nI tried to recycle the piles of unnecessary packaging, suffocating the apples and the freshly cut asparagus.
\nI tried to shop fair trade, so those souls born less fortunate could be paid a fair wage.<\/p>\n

I walked when I could, instead of taking the car,
\nAnd bought only lotions and potions not tested on creatures who cared not about our dull hair, dry skin or scuffed knees.
\nI stopped eating meat, or eggs from featherless birds in tiny prisons, and the milk meant for calves was left for the cows.<\/p>\n

Our make do and mend lifestyle was more than just a slogan from the times of my grandparents.
\n\u201cWaste not, want not\u201d and \u201ceverything in moderation\u201d
\n\u201cActions speak louder than words\u201d the wisest of all words it turns out.<\/p>\n

I hope all these things have been noted and ingested by these two small, open souls.
\nAbsorbed by osmosis in the daily grind: school, eat, sleep, wake, repeat.
\nMake sure you recycle, don\u2019t eat so much meat!<\/p>\n

Armed with this all, I entrust to them the world, to be better custodians than those we remember,
\nAnd trust that in their guardianship, they will never need suncream in December.<\/p>\n

\n

Alison Arkell<\/a> <\/strong>works at the Institute for Environmental Analytics, based at the University of Reading. A mother of two who is happiest at her allotment or by the sea, a secret poet with a life-long passion for writing and our planet.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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