This Liquid Earth: A Eulogy in Verse

Synopsis

A dystopian near-future, where climate change has reshaped the world. Borders between nations blur as refugees flee environmental catastrophe.

Amy Jephta’s poetic drama unfolds through the alternating voices of Her, a citizen of a relatively stable African nation, and Him, a climate refugee seeking asylum. Their monologues intertwine to create a haunting exploration of displacement, xenophobia, and the human cost of environmental collapse.

The play is a searing examination of climate justice, migration, and the legacy of colonialism. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic language, Jephta paints a world where rising seas and imploding skies have forced mass exoduses, turning former colonisers into desperate refugees seeking shelter in African nations. The irony of this reversal is not lost on the characters, adding layers of historical tension to their conflict.

Jephta’s use of poetic form allows for a fluid movement between past and present, personal and political. The play’s structure, alternating between two perspectives, highlights the artificial nature of borders and the shared humanity that transcends them.