Extraordinary, Eloquent Earth

Essential, endangered

Awe*

Gaia, planet Earth,
patient, persistent teacher.
Brilliant beauty queen.

Wild ecosystems,
astonishing mysteries.
Real masterpieces.

The natural world,
flora, fauna, includes us.
Full of surprises!

Aws

In the cool forest,
flora fauna family.
Fawns forage for treats.

In the hot jungle,
flora fauna family.
Vines are swings for chimps.

All over, buds, babes,
flora fauna family.
And also, within.

Us

By the riverbed,
the fallen become bridges.
Old oaks, also us.

In the deep dark woods,
the fallen become arches.
Birches, also us.

In the fall garden,
the fallen become compost.
Green goods, also us.

Oh!?

Everyone belongs
in the Earthling family.
An inclusive club.

Earthship membership,
free to all born on this orb.
Non-transferable.

Lucky to live here,
showered by Earth’s benefits.
Prized perks will expire.

Oh-oh

Ever constantly,
heartbeats pound, sap and air flow.
While there is life still.

Life on Earth, U.S.,
free for their fair residents?
If we can keep them.

Everlasting not,
ferns, food, family, friends, foes.
Organisms, ores.

OK?

Climate, weather shifts,
droughts, rain records, firestorms.
No longer small talk.

Endangered marvels,
fauna, flora, mineral.
Will we do our part?

Asleep, dazed, stunned, numb,
humans in fast-heating pot.
Will we thaw in time?

Ouch!

‘Don’t be one person.’
Urgent call heed. Joint acts need.
‘Don’t be one species.’

Fearful and furious,
we scare and harm each other,
while Mother Earth hurts.

Faithful and curious,
we soothe, care for each other,
and Mother Earth heals.

What?

Awesome planet Earth,
what are we doing to you?
Amazing. Ailing.

Climate collapsing?
Humans in sleepwalking trance.
Is Earthship sinking?

What is there to do
when Mother Earth gets attacked?
Breathe, reach out, link, act!

Wake!

Said old-growth forests:
We were clear-cut, maimed, raped, razed.
And now we’re shrinking.

Said humble humans:
Our fault, regrets. We’ll wake up.
Being, feeling, thinking. 

Environmental
reconciliation, yes!
Indivisible.

Ode

Home Earth, wow!
Awestruck we are by your beauty, by your power,
by the genius of your nature.

Home Earth, thanks!
Nest, cave, burrow, womb, tomb for us all.
Precious parent of those who swim in your seas,
soar through your skies, step on your soil.
Starting block when we’re to rise,
ending point when we’re to rest.

Home Earth, regrets!
Human actions have, willingly or unwittingly,
harmed and hurt you.
Yet here we are, still,
some innocent, others naive, most ignorant, all responsible.

Winks

Planet, nature, ‘Like’!
Inspiring ‘influencers.’
No filters needed.

Notice nature’s news.
Plant, walk woods, listen, learn, work.
Join kind friendly flocks.

Earth is resilient,
breathing still, and come what may:
Gaia resistance.

Links

Sciences and arts
face, name, claim Earth farm’s hard truths.
Work, hope help our odds.

Appreciative applause to the authors of these 12 informative and inspiring Substack publications, which influenced this post:

A Woman’s Place is in the Wild, Chasing Nature, Crooked Roots, Easy by Nature, Field Guide to the Anthropocene, Homecoming, Life in the Real World, Meditations on Nature, Nature’s Notes, Practicing Terraphilia, Psyche’s Nest, Reweaving Earth & Soul, Weeds, Wolves & Wild Women

We thank them, all Earth and devotees, and you, concerned caring reader, for receiving Pausing for Ponderings and participating with your perspectives.

On this year’s ‘Earth Day,’
what say you, fellow Earthlings?
Wows and woes welcome.

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