by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Why Do You Weep, Mother Earth?

A Conversation Between the Sun & Mother Earth

The Sun, empathetic friend of Mother Earth.

The Sun’s words are in gold.

Photo by Hans Isaacson from Unsplash.

Mother Earth, friend of the Sun.

Mother Earth’s words are in Green.

Photo by Enrique Meseguer from Pixabay.

Why Do You Weep, Mother Earth?

A Conversation Between the Sun & Mother Earth

Why do you weep, Mother Earth,

as if your heart would break?

Do I not shine each day

for your precious planet’s sake?

Oh, Sun, my gratitude is boundless,

and your service is first-rate,

but noxious smoke obscures your light.

Cleanup may come too late!

Mother, after all you’ve done for humans,

how can they be so thankless?

Persuade them to stop polluting

and clean up their toxic mess.

Do you remember, Sun, the old days?

Some humans worshiped you,

just as they venerated me.

Sadly, that is no longer true.

Oh, Mother Earth, whom do they

worship now, if neither you nor me?

Earth’s waters are choked with garbage,

so I’m sure it’s not the god of the sea!

Dear Sun, it is clear that humankind

does not revere the sea,

and they desecrate my sacred forests,

cutting down life-giving trees.

You, Mother Earth, are burning…

I see raging storms and rising floods.

Wild creatures are dying;

The earth is bathed in blood.

Surely, Sun, life is essential!

What could humans value more?

Why are they destroying the mother

they always used to adore?

Someone must bring you the sad news…

Mother Earth, I guess I’m the one.

These are the things humans value:

privilege, power, and possessions.

Sadly, sun, it won’t be long

until I am no longer here.

You will shine on a dead, empty planet.

Will you still remember me, Dear?

Oh, Mother Earth, don’t give up yet!

Dry your weeping eyes.

Today, I saw something hopeful.

I admit I was surprised!

Don’t keep me in suspense, Sun.

Bring me a bit of cheer!

What did you see today?

I am anxiously waiting to hear.

Dear Mother Earth, I saw wind turbines,

solar panels producing energy!

Young people marching…”The Future is Ours!”

on signs for all to see!

Oh, Sun, do you really think

younger generations can rescue me?

Do you think they really care?

I guess we will wait and see!

Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia

Happy Earth Day to People

All Over the World!

Sculpture with sun from a church, Dom Fulda. Photo by Tom from Pixabay.

54 Comments

    1. Thank you so much, Cindy! Your beautiful response made me smile. ❤ My daughters visited and we went on a road trip. See my previous two posts for details and lots of photos. "Vacation with my Daughters" "In the Mangrove Forest." I know you have also been traveling and very busy. We are both trying to catch up, I guess! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. You’re so welcome and happy to smile with you as I read this. Oh that’s so great. What I have to go back when I get a few minutes.. I thought those were old somehow.. getting back to digging out. oh fun times and I’m happy you had a wonderful time with them. Trying to find more balance in these continuous challenging times alrighty! ❣️💞

        Liked by 1 person

  10. A fabulous poem, Cheryl! We treat Sun, Moon and earth as Gods and Goddess respectively. We call our country Mother India, but despite that it’s a fact that we have exploited nature and earth. Thank you for bringing up this vital issue in a very effective way.🍀🌼💐🍀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I appreciate your very thoughtful response, KK. Thank you so much for sharing your traditions and your thoughts. ❤

      You may be familiar with Mother Earth, from pagan traditions in the British Isles, also known as Gaia. Ancient Egyptians worshipped the sun god, Amen. The god of the sea is from Greek and Roman myths, also called Poseidon.

      Even though religions and mythologies vary, the fact is, we all depend on the earth, sun, and waters to sustain us. We need to preserve these resources for future generations. Happy Earth Day, KK! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Thank you, Cheryl for your wonderful reply. Egyptian civilisation is also quite old like ours, and I find some similarities too, and so are others’ traditions, as you have rightly stated. I think worshipping the elements of nature is a mark of respect which is utterly lacking now-a-days. We should respect nature and earth in whichever way. Thank you for your wishes that I heartily reciprocate. I was not aware that Earth Day is celebrated in this week.😊💖🙏

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you for sharing such vital information, KK. I agree that worshiping the elements is a mark of respect, respect that is badly needed if we are to heal and preserve the environment. ❤

      The official Earth Day is celebrated on April 22, but I think it deserves a whole month! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. This is a very moving picture of reality – a conversation that feels very true to the heart. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have not much to say, you said it very beautifully. I loved the images you used and the captions for those images.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Pragalbha, thank you so much for your very kind words. Your comment means a lot to me. ❤ I am glad you like the images. I searched for a long time, not quite finding what I was looking for, but the images I did find may be better than what I had envisioned. 🙂 Have a great day! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. What an interesting way to frame the much needed conversation and reminder. I loved the hope at the end. May we move this world toward a shift in priorities. Sending much gratitude and blessings, Cheryl!

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    Reply

    1. Thank you, AP, for your kind words. ❤ Your comment means a lot to me.

      During my lifetime, it seemed that so many wonderful innovations, improvements, and positive developments were occurring. Things appeared to be getting better and better.

      Sometime after I retired, I became aware of just how serious the environmental issues that resulted from all of this innovation had become, and what an appalling legacy my generation was leaving behind…climate change, pollution, extinction of species, and all the rest!

      Now, I only hope future generations can meet the challenges they are inheriting!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. Gorgeous conversational, relational, living poem, Cheryl. Layout, message, characterizations, imagery. Brava! Also a fine example of an (he)artist (yourself) creating a piece of ‘gentle activism’ and making a difference in your realm of ‘influence’.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Cheryl, what a beautifully written poem that sends a very important message. I’m sure Mother Earth is smiling because of your appreciation for her and all of her beauty. Too many take our beautiful planet for granted, unfortunately. Brava! 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Thank you for this powerful poem full of compassion and empathy. The Earth is a precious gift from our Creator. To harm Mother Earth is to spit in God’s face. May we all work to save and heal her.

    Liked by 1 person

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