“Good Morning La Salle
This week, we celebrate Earth Week, a time of showing our love for the planet, being appreciative of the natural beauty that surrounds us, and recognizing that there is still much to be done to save the Earth. Mother Teresa said, “I only feel angry when I see waste, when I see people throwing away things that we could use.” The earth is suffering because of us. One third of all food produced ends up rotting in trash cans or spoiling due to poor transportation. 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage, storm water, and industrial waste are dumped into US water. 15 billion trees are chopped away each year. Billions of disposable masks have been found polluting the ocean. Now more than ever, we as a society need to wake up and do our part to help the Earth. This could include biking or walking instead of driving to reduce carbon fuels, planting trees, donating to clothing drives to combat fast fashion, recycling, and being aware of the impact our decisions make on the environment.
Here is a poem I wrote from the perspective of the Earth, with a quote by Emily Dickinson.
I gave them the sunrise,
fiery yellow
The breath of air
Mournfully mellow
I gave them my water, food, and soil
They drank and ate and toiled and toiled
in return
they cut my trees,
polluted my seas,
grayed my skies–
They hurt my Eyes
Yet never once did I start to hate
For fear was born on anger’s plate
Sadness preys on the lonely soul
And makes a home til death do toll
The world is neither yours nor mine
Instead made from Divine design
I heard, “Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops -at all-”
I have hope in darkness,
Dreams despite death
Memory in tragedy
And love for life’s breath
Let us pray:
Dear God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, please help us to live up to our role as stewards of the land, animals, and Earth. Allow us to notice and appreciate the little things, from the flowers blanketing the ground, to the sun rising early in the morning, to the beauty of blossoming trees. Help us to be conscious of how the decisions we make today affect the world we live in tomorrow.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle… Pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts… forever.
Sarah Wong ’21 La Salle Academy, Providence, RI