To be honest, I really don't have a cohesive essay here; just have some ramblings.
I took a long walk by the Ohio River yesterday. Some of the Native Americans called it the "beautiful river." They wouldn't call it that anymore. The Spring floods have subsided some -- leaving a bank full of trash beyond description. I couldn't help think, What the hell are we doing to ourselves?
So, today I open my email and receive an email announcing that today is the anniversary of the first Earth Day (1970).
From History.com
Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a
staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots
environmental movement and increase ecological awareness. "The
objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the
environment so large that it would shake the political establishment
out of its lethargy," Senator Nelson said, "and, finally, force this
issue permanently onto the national political agenda." Earth Day
indeed increased environmental awareness in America, and in July of
that year the Environmental Protection Agency was established by
special executive order to regulate and enforce national pollution
legislation.
Earth Day has been celebrated on different days by different groups
internationally. The United Nations officially celebrates it on the
vernal equinox, which usually occurs about March 21.
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Trash on the banks
Trash on the brain
What we do to our earth
Is truly insane
Trash on the sidewalk
Can't we clean up earth mother?
Yell "Get a frickin' job"
That "trash" is our brother
What we do to each other
Or choose not to do
Politicians tell us "vote for me"
And "I'll come to the rescue!"
"I'll clean up your water"
"I'll get your kids off dope"
"I'll bring peace to the world"
"I am your only hope"
Trash on the banks
Trash on my mind
I have to start with my trash
To save all mankind
- - -
Like I said, just a rant to start the day.
Off the pages of my Moleskin.
Regarding this photo:
"An alcoholic is someone you don't like who drinks as much as you do." — Dylan Thomas
Sir Bowie of Greenbrair
- - -
It's a sad affair when we take our environment for granted. Even though some trash is another man's treasure, we have to become more aware and step way out of ourselves, our selfish-petty lives, to discover that we inherited a planet to live on and will pass that inheritance on to our future generations.
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