Al Gore Pens Apocalyptic Climate Change Poem

The poem, which you can watch Gore read to a CNN reporter at left or read in full below, has met with mixed reviews: cheers on the part of Vanity Fair, jeers from conservatives, and both from various bloggers.

"Gore has unveiled a fresh and most unexpected talent," wrote 's Mark Hertsgaard. "The book's opening chapter of concludes with a poem he wrote—21 lines of verse that are equal parts beautiful, evocative, and disturbing."

Hertsgaard also calls Gore "the Poet Laureate of climate change."

Rush Limbaugh, on the other hand, read the poem on his show, calling it "stupid" and reading excerpts from the Vanity Fair review. He then asked that someone "please explain to me what's wrong with it getting warmer."

Here is the poem in its full form:

One thin September soon
A floating continent disappears
In midnight sun

Vapors rise as
Fever settles on an acid sea
Neptune's bones dissolve

Snow glides from the mountain
Ice fathers floods for a season
A hard rain comes quickly

Then dirt is parched
Kindling is placed in the forest
For the lightning's celebration

Unknown creatures
Take their leave, unmourned
Horsemen ready their stirrups

Passion seeks heroes and friends
The bell of the city
On the hill is rung

The shepherd cries
The hour of choosing has arrived
Here are your tools