Dear Future Generations: Sorry

“Dear Future Generations: Sorry” is an address written and spoken to future generations of Earth. Framed as a letter and direct address, the poem clearly states its subject (the future generations of the planet) and its message (that of an apology). Themes and tones of regret and lament are apparent from the start of the poem when the speaker states, “I think I speak for the rest of us when I say / Sorry” (Lines 2-3). Speaking for the entirety of humanity, the speaker apologizes for the “mess of a planet” (Line 3) that the future generation will inherit. Expanding on this lament, the speaker opens with two reasons why the planet has been destroyed: “Sorry that we were too caught up in our own doings to do something” (Line 4) and “Sorry we listened to people who made excuses / To do nothing” (Lines 5-6).

Regret is apparent in Line 7 when the speaker openly asks for forgiveness, followed by a truth: “We just didn’t realize how special earth was” (Line 8). What follows this is a long list. Beginning with “For example” (Line 11), the speaker lists why Earth is so special, and why it should be cherished rather than demolished.