Earth Day, 2021
earth, with its myriad oceans and lakes reflecting scintillating moonlight
its forests, green and profuse, chockfull of delight
of humming insects, swooshing snakes, and birds of turquoise plumage in flight
nature with its endless array does fill our sight
with iridescence and movement, subtle and great, during the day and the still of the night
this turning world brims with mystery and generosity
from the benign resident to those beasts of prey known for their ferocity
a speck of dust in this universe spanning space beyond imagining
it is nonetheless a dear, dear home to those of us who share this earthly destiny
give thanks to this sweet Mother who upholds our days and nights
give thanks to her who understands our each and every plight
for she feels our joys and sorrows down to her very core.
yet she responds not in kind for she but offers us more and more
she offers us fields replete with our daily bread
she offers us a ground on which to rest our head
she offers us streams and rivers filled with the nectar of that liquid, rushing and flowing
she offers us coolness in the shade of the redwood, majestic and soaring
she gives us deserts, infinite in spareness and grace
and the oasis, in response, teeming with life in its fructifying space
she gives us shorelines, absorbing waves of great might
she allows for the tundra, frozen in endless whiteness, a lulling hypnosis to the sight
who can pretend to understand this great event
this world of genetic complexity filled with wonder and unfathomable intent
this beauty that has never failed to amaze and inspire
each generation, each wave of humanity, whose sight does never tire
to behold this green-blue globe from ancient canyon to distant shore
far from ennui, we wish to see more and more
but, it is not only the visual beauty that begs our attention
it is the consciousness of this benign sweet globe that gives us a direction
for she exemplifies giving, she knows no other agenda
we would do well to understand and thank her for her selflessness and protection
this turning sphere, this place profound and dear
do not neglect her, she is a gift for all
filled with love and respect, let her feel this in our very footfall
Annie Kiyonaga
In honour of Earth Day, 1999
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