As I thought about what to write about Earth Day, many things came to mind. I could provide ways to conserve energy, clean up the planet, and reduce our carbon footprint. I could talk about the importance of supporting local farms, eating organic, and responsible farming. But the more I thought about these things, the less I wanted to write about them. Not because they are not important. Instead, I wanted to focus on the underlying meaning behind all of these efforts, which is to celebrate and take care of the gift we have been given in nature.
Of course, when I think about words that encapsulate for me the wonders of the earth, I look to the poetry of Walt Whitman. So, today, I offer a section from Whitman's "Song of Myself" which I feel crystallizes the spirit of Earth Day:
Of course, when I think about words that encapsulate for me the wonders of the earth, I look to the poetry of Walt Whitman. So, today, I offer a section from Whitman's "Song of Myself" which I feel crystallizes the spirit of Earth Day: