Sometimes I wonder
why no civilization
has ever endured
upon this Earth forever…
Why every civilization,
after touching its highest peak,
has faded away,
leaving behind
only its ruins.
Again and again
this Earth gave us
a place in her lap…
she gave us rivers,
she gave us mountains,
she gave us forests,
she gave us pure air,
she gave us grain..
tearing open
her own body
she offered mineral wealth
for our progress.
Yet when civilizations
reached their highest point,
they began to believe
they were all powerful.
They forgot
the love of the Earth,
forgot every kindness
she had given..
they dishonored
each gift
she placed in their hands…
Still, the Earth
trusted again and again,
and yet every civilization
repeated
the same betrayal…
And so
the Earth was forced
to devastate
her own womb
again and again.
How painful
it must be
to destroy
one’s own womb
over and over…
Yet even that pain
was less
than the betrayal
we gave her.
Perhaps that is why
no civilization
has survived
until today…
Before I depart
from this Earth,
I wish to make
just one request
to the generations
yet to come..
Even if you never measure
the depth of the oceans,
even if you never build
towers touching the sky,
even if you never make
your homes upon the Moon..
Still, remember this,
Remain forever grateful
for the kindness of this Earth,
and cherish
every gift
she has given.
Before the Earth
is wounded once again,
protect her.
My children,
this time
do not break
the Earth’s trust…
Written by Shilpa Shukla.
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