by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Environmental Gems & Green Haiku

Photo by Dustan Woodhouse from Unsplash.
Photo by Annie Spratt from Unsplash.
Photo by Jo-Anne McArthur from Unsplash.

Environmental Gems

Reduce,

Reuse, Recycle!

Choose organic foods.

Use green energy sources.

Protect wildlife and wildlife habitat.

Stop pollution of the land, air, and water.

Manage forests to control fires and prevent floods.

Maintain public lands and nature preserves.

Use plant-based plastic substitutes.

Develop green energy sources.

Practice organic farming.

Plant trees.

Vote.

Photo by Joanne Francis from Unsplash.
Photo by John Middecoop from Unsplash.

Green Haiku

Create; don’t destroy!

Clean up the messes we’ve made.

Make peace with nature.

Ruins of war, Syria. Photo by Mahmood Sulaiman from Unsplash.
If we don’t work now to save the environment, we may all become as extinct as the dodo!
Photo, McGill Library from Unsplash.

Copyright© 2022 by Cheryl Batavia

Happy Earth Day!

71 Comments

  4. A powerful article Cheryl, with two very poignant poems, and very apropriate photos of environmental devastation … And yes we all need do our bit to help our planet .. 🌏💙💚💛🌝

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. Ivor, thank you for your kind words. It pains me to see photos like these, but I don’t think we can afford to look the other way. If we all do what is within our power, there may still be time to turn the situation around! “Hope springs eternal!”

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  9. A beautiful reminder in your two lovely poems, Cheryl! I loved the structure of the first poem, looks like a part of diamond. Selection of pictures is awesome. Happy Earth Day to you too❤️🌺💐

    Liked by 3 people

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  13. Whatever happened to those plant-based biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags? I remember once I heard their properties, I then began asking for ‘plastic’ rather than ‘paper’ – you know back in the day.
    I know many of us continue to keep on doing the bits we can – but it can get very disheartening at times – so – your poem is a gentle reminder to keep on keepin’ on.
    Thanks for that, Cheryl.
    Here’s to Earth Day 2020.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Laura. I have bought some disposable cups made of “plastic” from corn starch. I wish more would be done. I feel so guilty for using vegetables and fruit packed in clamshells! I guess it would cost more to make them from plant-based, biodegradable “plastic.”

      Another thing I find disheartening is that much of what we are asked to recycle still ends up in landfills due to outdated processing facilities. We do the best we can!

      Have a lovely weekend and a Happy Easter, Laura! ❤

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  16. Thank you for being a much-needed voice for planet earth. I love both your poems. In addition to using plant-based plastic substitutes, moving toward a plant-based diet uses up fewer resources. Peace and Blessings to you, Cheryl.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. JoAnna, thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. ❤ You reminded me of something I Iearned recently but didn't mention. Cattle give off large amounts of methane gas, but adding seaweed to their diet reduces the gas emissions to almost zero. There are many things that can be done to help Mother Earth if only we have the will to discover and implement them.

      Wishing you a very joyous Easter! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Thank you, Cheryl. I see the images you posted as part of photo journalism. It is important to see the truth through photos as well (even if not as pleasing). 😊

        Liked by 2 people

  25. The most important message for us all. Now is the time we can start mending our mistakes. Little by little the Earth will become a better place to live. May harmony prevail.
    Thank you for this important message on the day of Earth. I wish your haiku comes true and we all stay in love and peace.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  27. I am sorry for reading this so late, Cheryl, but I am glad that I read it now. Couldn’t agree more with your thoughts and concerns. The time is now to act. We are already experiencing extreme weather conditions due to environmental degradation. Let’s make a change for the better. ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Glad you like those lines, Lokesh. I feel strongly about that! We can say that we are what we do and that we live on through what we have created. Bombing cities and leveling buildings destroy the lifework and legacy of those who created them. Cutting down the rainforest…I’ll get off my soapbox now! Thank you for reading and responding. I hope your generation is wiser than mine. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. You always highlight serious issues and their solutions.

        We exist in the present together. So I don’t think we both are from two different generations.

        Thank you so much, Cheryl. 🤗❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  30. This is the thought and action required today. Everywhere in the world its been a mess. I do not understand why humans don’t understand such simple things you see.
    If not understood now then we will pay the price.
    Nice haiku all said in three lines Cheryl
    Blessings

    Liked by 1 person

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