Thief of Lives

crossing oceans,

an invisible enemy washes up

and rises to walk

the flourishing earth

it rises

and wanders among the living…

preying upon human weaknesses…

exploiting the need for closeness

and contact

it moves between people

from host to host,

wreaking havoc

on health and emotions

thief of lives, but never of souls

it thrives in the elderly and the compromised,

yet also in the young and healthy…

leaving no stone unturned,

no one invulnerable

nature watches with a knowing eye

as she wakens from her slumber…

but remains unbiased

in the unfurling of leaves

and the opening of blossoms…

she is impartial

to the plight of humankind…

oblivious to the chaos…

the loss of life and livelihood… knowing

that eventually this too shall pass

it will run its course

this abomination…

this thief…

thief of lives

but never of souls…

Sylvia L. Mattingly, April 18, 2020

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Saving Planet Earth

Straws Again  

https://crookedcreek.live/2018/07/02/waste/

After writing Wasting Planet Earth posted earlier today, I read a comprehensive article in the Courier Journal (7/1/18) about plastic straws. The movement to eliminate these devices is picking up steam. There was even a report on broadcast news last night about the subject (NBC). 

In the CJ I learned that there is only one manufacturer of paper straws in all the United States. That company, Aardvark Straws in Fort Wayne, IN, cannot meet the demand so now many paper straws used in the US are from China. Aardvark’s natural cellulose product is both compostable and biodegradable. 

We have been using plastic straws since 1970 and they are a part of the eight billion tons of plastic we dump into the oceans each year! By 2050 it is estimated that there will be more plastic in the planet’s oceans than fish. We must do better.

Challenge

If you still are not convinced that these small cylinders of plastic that we suck on so cavalierly are a problem, I challenge you to watch all eight minutes of this YouTube video. If you are sensitive to coarse language you should watch without sound. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=4wH878t78bw

Thank You

“Small Acts, when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world.” Howard Zinn 

 

Theme photo in title and graphic by Pixabay