Tuesday, April 22, 2008

For Earth Day

For Earth Day, the first red tulip growing wild and splendid and free in the hedgerow this morning, a little after sunrise.

We will (as always) spend the day picking up detritus in the village and along the road which runs along the front of the Two Hundred Acre Wood. Otherwise, it's business as usual — reuse, recycle, rethink, clean up after ourselves and try to leave as light a footprint as possible on the Old Wild Mother as we go along — be grateful and show a little respect, exercise a gentle caring stewardship of this dear little blue planet which is our chosen home this time around. Earth Day is (or it ought to be) every single day of the turning year.

Be mindful!
Husband the earth. Protect
her from greed and violence. Build
humbly, plant trees, grow flowers and clothe her
with dignity. Respect all her creatures. Honour her
natural laws and the universe which cradles her.
Above all, heartily worship the Source of All that is.

This world needs secret heroes! Be brave, speak the truth,
heal the sick, make peace. Be strong, serve patiently, love
generously, live simply. Enjoy fellowship, eat and drink modestly,
celebrate the festivals. Breathe deeply, sing and make music,
walk often, cycle and recycle. Be thrifty, prefer cashflow to
possession, give good measure. Let your work be your prayer.

Put on the whole armour of light! Unearth the beauty in
everything. Inhale the Spirit of Goodness. Kindle kindness,
especially toward yourself, embracing the sweet
silence of your own soul. Fear nothing. Accept
what you are and — while you have
breath — give thanks.

John Rogers

2 comments:

GreenishLady said...

Oh, beautiful! What a wonderful poem - round and lovely as the earth. Thank you.

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

This is a breathtaking tulip photo. My family was all from Holland, MI where they have a huge tulip festival in April. I got to see it once as an adult. I am touched by the poem, too.