The world is a mess, we’ve hit critical mass
The temperature rises and weather attacks
The oceans are up and the icecaps are down
And the Landfills are growing in leaps and in bounds
Things are made to be disposed of
But never decompose
The testament to our way of life
Is that only our trash endures
But I’m only one person, I think to myself
What can I possibly do?
To make a difference, to set things right
On this beautiful Planet, Earth
This place that is our Home, no matter where you live
I care very much and feel so helpless
As days turn to weeks, months and years
So that is the question, what can be done?
By people like you and me
To make a difference in this world we live in
To begin the process of healing
I look around at my family and friends
At people I meet here and there
And it occurs to me, an Epiphany
There are millions of US, everywhere
Good people who care
Who want to make change
But we all are feeling alone
Like we’re “only One person”
We can’t change a thing
We have no power at all
Then I remember the lines of a song
Called “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree”[1]
So when you go out to a restaurant
Bring your canvas grocery bag along
Throw in some containers from your cabinet, maybe a recycled jar
Say no thank you to Go Bags and Boxes, you see I’ve brought my own
Remember those same bags for the hardware store
And the dress shop down the street
The pharmacy, the department store, anywhere really
Where you put your stuff in a bag
Plant clover with your grass on your lawn
Plant flowers and herbs everywhere
In buckets, in pots, in a window box
In the womb of Mother Earth
Get a log or some drift wood that’s lying around
Drill holes in it everywhere
Put it out in the garden or by the garage
“Apartments for pollinators”
Investigate those green alternatives
Recycle wherever you can
Walk or bike whenever possible
Organize your shopping days
Plan ahead for gas and meals
Avoid waste as much as you can
Reduce your trash to once a month
By buying responsibly
Do we really need single serving packages?
Use a spoon, measuring cup or a thermos
Use glass containers, waxed paper, freezer wrap
Pack your lunch instead of going to the drive thru
Say no thank to those throw away straws, every time
Get a metal reusable one instead
Lead by example wherever you can
This is how small things add up to Big Change
Look around you and think, “What ELSE can I do? “
There are hundreds of things beside these
If we put our minds to it and share our ideas
We’ll be amazed at the difference it makes
It takes a bit of thought and planning
A little bit of effort too
But if it can help Heal this world we all live on
Isn’t that something you’d like to do?
In the words of the song mentioned earlier
You might feel a little weird at first
But as you stick to it, you’ll see with delight
You are planting the seeds of change on Earth
So when a bunch of us do it, others will notice
A Movement making a positive change
You’re not just one person with no power here
You are ONE of a MULTITUDE
Brigid RavenHart
2022
Brigidravenhart.com Meandering with the Muse
[1] “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree”, Arlo Guthrie 1967
