Earth Day 2020

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EARTH DAY 2020




Last week, I ran outdoors early morning

I heard that particular call

of many geese, high up,

encouraging themselves

on the journey to their northern home



Yesterday, I ran outdoors early morning

I heard the unfamiliar sound

of a low-flying passenger jet



Today, this Earth Day,

I ran outdoors early morning

To smell, hear and taste

Rain

It has been the driest April on record

And the rainforest has been buckling.



And this is a pause like no other

One with many questions and few certainties

A planetary vulnerability for our species



We now are the rainforest without rain

The flooding rivers

The raging wildfires

The drought decimated field

The acrid, toxic smog



Paradoxically, our planet can breathe again

While we humans remain stilled and frightened

By a virus that can make it difficult for us to breathe.

Surely this is not lost on us.



Cherie Westmoreland
Bowen Island, BC

Comments

  1. FranApril 22, 2020 at 3:56 PM

    Beautiful. HOPE FULLY it is not lost on us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jane KApril 23, 2020 at 8:48 AM

    I am in awe of the fragility of nature captured in this image, Cherie, and in your words. Our precious earth cries to us to be held gently even as we feel that same need. Love from the prairies to the island rain forest.

    ReplyDelete

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