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| Image Digitally Created by Michelle Fairchild in 2008 |
It seemed fitting to bring together poetry and thoughts about our Mother Earth seeing as how April is National Poetry Month and the 41st Anniversary of Earth Day was celebrated on April 22nd.
Our planet absolutely astounds me. There are so many descriptive words that come to mind while contemplating our shared globe: wondrous, remarkable, amazing, incredible…and yet none of them can really do it justice. How do you describe something so sacred and miraculous?
What I know is that we do the best we can using our sacred earthly tools such as words, both prose and poetry, paintings, songs, dances, culinary arts, rituals and activism.
In honor of our big blue planet here is a compilation of prose, poetry and song to honor her.
Our planet absolutely astounds me. There are so many descriptive words that come to mind while contemplating our shared globe: wondrous, remarkable, amazing, incredible…and yet none of them can really do it justice. How do you describe something so sacred and miraculous?
What I know is that we do the best we can using our sacred earthly tools such as words, both prose and poetry, paintings, songs, dances, culinary arts, rituals and activism.
In honor of our big blue planet here is a compilation of prose, poetry and song to honor her.
My Dearest Mother Earth,
Your beauty is astounding
so much so that it brings tears
to the eyes of those who really see you
the greens and blues, the red, browns and yellows
the rainbows that you sometimes wear like magical jewels
and underneath your stunning appearance
you are humble
You are a provider
a giver of life
if it were not for you
and the water that covers
two thirds of your surface
there would be no life
and yet you are humble
There are those
in certain circles
who are concerned
about worshipping you
as a deity
and yet it seems
that since our very
lives and survival
depends on you
that there needs to be
greater Reverence in how we view you
There needs to be more
love and respect
in our actions and thoughts
towards you
and while we can celebrate
that forty-one years ago
inspired individuals celebrated
the first Earth Day on
April 22, 1970
we must also honor that
every day is Earth Day.
~ By Michelle Fairchild
In the Midst of Pain
By Gregg Krech
Once, not long ago, it was a hearty tree
providing shade, food, and oxygen—
a world of its own.
For a hundred years,
perhaps more,
it flourished with breath and life.
Then it was cut, sawed, ground, and pressed
until it found itself resting softly
between two friends.
Peacefully and patiently
it waited for the moment
it would burst forth into the world
and exercise the meaning of its life.
And now that moment has come.
It gracefully caresses my cheek,
wiping the tears from my eyes
and taking on my pain as its own
All those years
as seed, tree, wood
and tissue
in preparation for the fleeting moment
it would console my sadness.
As it gives its life to comfort me
I almost failed to see the kindness in its deed.
Wrapped up in self-centered pain, tear-blinded,
I nearly missed its selfless service.
Who will give witness to such compassion if not me?
Shriveled and soaked, it died while serving a fool
who discarded thousands of its brothers and sisters
without a thanks –not one tear shed in gratitude.
Teach me to see through the teardrop, that in the midst of pain
I may understand the true source
of the softness against my face.
Teach me to cry with my eyes wide open.
Once, not long ago, it was a hearty tree
providing shade, food, and oxygen—
a world of its own.
For a hundred years,
perhaps more,
it flourished with breath and life.
Then it was cut, sawed, ground, and pressed
until it found itself resting softly
between two friends.
Peacefully and patiently
it waited for the moment
it would burst forth into the world
and exercise the meaning of its life.
And now that moment has come.
It gracefully caresses my cheek,
wiping the tears from my eyes
and taking on my pain as its own
All those years
as seed, tree, wood
and tissue
in preparation for the fleeting moment
it would console my sadness.
As it gives its life to comfort me
I almost failed to see the kindness in its deed.
Wrapped up in self-centered pain, tear-blinded,
I nearly missed its selfless service.
Who will give witness to such compassion if not me?
Shriveled and soaked, it died while serving a fool
who discarded thousands of its brothers and sisters
without a thanks –not one tear shed in gratitude.
Teach me to see through the teardrop, that in the midst of pain
I may understand the true source
of the softness against my face.
Teach me to cry with my eyes wide open.
"With My Own Two Hands"
I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
I can reach out to you
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a brighter place
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a safer place
With my own two hands
I'm going to help the human race
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can hold you
With my own two hands
I can comfort you
With my own two hands
But you've got to use
Use your own two hands
Use your own
Use your own two hands
With our own
With our own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
I can reach out to you
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a brighter place
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a safer place
With my own two hands
I'm going to help the human race
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can hold you
With my own two hands
I can comfort you
With my own two hands
But you've got to use
Use your own two hands
Use your own
Use your own two hands
With our own
With our own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
~ by Jack Johnson featuring Ben Harper
Share your thoughts about Mother Earth.
If you feel inspired write her a letter, a poem, a song and share it with us here.
Earth Song by Michael Jackson
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