As I gaze up these days I find myself
asking if my Mother Earth is alright
and her voice is tired within her kind reply
especially during a cloud-filled sky and her breathing
is labored her patience dwindles each time I ask
and she often wonders if I am still listening through her complaints
her weathered rage do I still see her
As I once did do I believe that she is worth noticing
the answer is a mighty yes indeed
I see her depth and grace I see her wisdom
and strength I see her towering trees protecting
encouraging comforting me I see her finding her own way I see her
pushing through the cement grey
I see her shining at a moment where I need to see more light
I see her making me feel at home everyday
she is all we have all we need all we must see
before her voice her soul her heart is suffocated completely
and she loses her beautiful earthy shades
her innocence her diversity her wits
she needs us to see how wide and deep she expands
within each of us, intrinsically
** This post is part of the Weekly Photo Challenge and this week’s theme is, “Earth”. You can find more entries, HERE.
This gorgeous tree is one I photograph quite often, it lives a few feet from my house and when the light is just right it glows. I have wanted to photograph it with my new camera, I was pleasantly surprised with the deep blues, greens and brown/reds that were captured. It is a very realistic view and the bits of bokeh in the limbs made me so happy. It is a true marvel of a tree and our Earth gives it the right conditions to grow, which always blows my mind when I really think about it.
The Shady Tree 
This is certainly one of the best entries for the challenge! Loved it. Such details! And you poem is wonderful too.
Oh what a nice thing to say, yuhublogger. Thank you. I’m so happy you enjoyed my image and words, they both mean a lot to me. Happy Earth Day!
My pleasure! Wish you the same.
Excellent perspective!
I love this poem, Carrie. On a morning when I am reeling from the administration’s move to open our national monuments to development, your words about our Mother Earth went straight to my heart and the poignancy of your wondrous line, “…we must see before her voice her soul her heart is suffocated completely” struck me with force.You’ve written many powerful poems, Carrie, and this one is among the best.
Yes, it is a devastating moment when the ones in charge act more like the Once-ler than the Gruffalo.
I have read and re-read this poem many times since I wrote it. I don’t do that very often. But, for some reason I keep coming back. Thank you for caring about our loving Mother Earth and I hope we all stay awake and fight for those beautiful things that have no voice but offer priceless opportunities for everyone to become a better version of themselves when they sit in their presence.