Poem analysis: Greenhouse Effect by Carl Dennis

About the poet:

Carl Dennis is an American poet and educator known for his plainspoken style, intimate meditations on everyday life, and profound explorations of spiritual and philosophical questions. He won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his collection Practical Gods. 

About the Poem: 
Carl Dennis's "The Greenhouse Effect" uses the scientific phenomenon as a metaphor for human society's environmental carelessness and the inevitable societal consequences that follow, exploring themes of future geography, economic decline, a return to simplicity, and collective responsibility to highlight our inability to adapt and our potential for suffering. The poem projects a future where climate change has forced a dramatic restructuring of society, characterized by shifting agricultural belts, the abandonment of suburbs, and the necessity for citizens to take on public responsibilities due to weakened governments. 

Key Themes and Analysis

Future Geography and Economic Decline: 
Dennis envisions a world dramatically altered by a warming climate, with agricultural belts moving toward the poles and the American Plains becoming vast dust bowls. This environmental collapse is linked to economic decline, as evidenced by the prediction that cities will become filled with people too poor to own cars, and a general impoverishment of society. 

Return to Simplicity: 
The poem suggests a forced return to a simpler way of life, replacing the suburban landscape with farms and community-oriented agriculture. The focus shifts from individual consumerism to community responsibility and the use of public transportation. 

Community Responsibility: 
With governments weakened by the crisis, citizens are called upon to take on public responsibilities. This involves saving public buildings and fostering a collective sense of duty to the community's welfare. 

Poetic Purpose and Tone
A Prophetic Warning: 
Written in 1985, the poem serves as a prescient warning about the long-term consequences of environmental neglect. 

Call to Action: 
The poem, while bleak in its depiction, implicitly calls for greater responsibility and foresight in environmental stewardship. 

Free Verse Form: 
The poem is written in free verse, a common form for lyric poetry that allows for flexibility in rhythm and structure, enhancing the natural flow of its imagery and message.