Earth to Humans. Do you copy?

I’m the only planet they didn’t name after a deity.

Was it because the humans had elevated me?

To the same pedestal that was reserved for their many deities.

I wonder.

They call me the blue planet, Terra, Tellus, Gaia, Gaea, the World, Mother Earth.

The blue planet!

Blue like the water that covers the majority of my surface,

which seems to be having a losing battle with impurities.

My beauty was well-known and appreciated.

I was the envy of other celestial bodies,

in this galaxy and beyond.

Asteroids have been launched at me,

To mar my beautiful surface.

There have been a few hits, many near misses, and many that totally missed the mark!

But the threat from outer space pales,

in comparison to the one species that is destroying me from the inside.

I nourished them and gave them everything that they could possibly want, and more.

I took them in and provided shelter when all other planets had refused.

But human greed was much more than I had ever anticipated.

My moon was the only one who stayed with me,

Though she had her reservations about the humans.

The humans took advantage of all my other species,

They hunted birds, animals, fish, and others.

They cleared forests to suit their needs.

I was their playground,

the one who will have to pay the price for their thoughtless actions.

My air quality dipped,

My water was being stripped of purity,

My soil succumbed and made way for barren expanses.

My Ozone layer was no longer intact.

All of the humans weren’t heartless,

Some spoke up for me, defended my rights.

They started movements and petitions to save me.

To save me, before I was too far gone.

Before I was past the point of no return.

They protested, argued, demanded, and deliberated,

Eventually, a day was set aside to honour me.

A day to evaluate their actions that threatened my survival.

It was a humble beginning to a major movement!

Policies, frameworks, acts, and protocols were formulated,

to save me from the clutches of their own.

It’s been 50 years since they decided

that April 22 will be known as Earth Day.

It may be unknown to humans,

But Nature has put me under a healing spell.

The humans are now caged in traps of their own making.

But I am healing,

mending the wounds of over-exploitation and ingratitude.

Slowly, but steadily.

There’s a lesson that humans keep forgetting.

Nature and I will continue to thrive,

with or without them.

Better, without them.

Humans are just guests who think they can control and manipulate us.

I’m the only planet they didn’t name after a deity.

Was it because the humans had elevated me too?

To the same pedestal that was reserved for their many deities.

Their actions most certainly don’t make me feel like one.

Tell me, humans,

Have you started realizing the magnitude of your thoughtless activities?

It’s too bad the dinosaurs aren’t around to warn you.

Author’s Note:

Fifty years ago, the First Earth Day was observed on April 22, 1970. Today as we observe the Earth day meant to champion the cause of environmental protection, there are many challenges in front of us. Hopefully, we will be able to overcome this pandemic and start taking action to save this gem of a planet. We only have one Earth. Let’s save it for our future generations.

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. Climate change is real, (don’t let them tell you otherwise!) and it is one of the most pressing issues.

Let us make a small change in our lives. It may be as simple as the following:

• Requesting shops, restaurants, and other commercial establishments to not print a customer’s copy when you use your cards to make a payment.
• Avoid taking unnecessary print-outs.
• Making use of both sides of plain sheets.
• Switching off lights, fans, etc when not in use.
• Reducing and eventually phasing out the use of plastics.
• Carrying cloth or paper bags when you go shopping.
• Recycling as much as you can.
• Investing in stainless steel straws…
• and so on.

The possibilities are endless, but even a small action can make a huge difference in our planet’s future.

Take accountability. Act responsibly.

Our future generations have a right to a clean, safe, and unpolluted environment and natural resources.

So what action are you taking already? What action are you planning to take?

What did you think about this poem? Let the words flow in the comments section.

Image courtesy: stokpic from Pixabay

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© 2020 Shweta Suresh. All rights reserved.