As I walk on her shore,
I see a bottle left behind by someone,
over there I see more...
They'll soon be in the water,
or maybe that's where they're from,
All discarded by man,
each and every one.
Bottle caps, pieces of plastic,
all there in the sand,
an old sandal, a book and a shoe,
and old beer cans, I've seen quite a few,
Who left them there,
If it wasn't me, was it you?
I watch the crew of men with their rakes,
doing their best to clean up,
the tourist's "mistakes",
I can't help but wonder
how they feel watching us so carelessly destroy,
exactly what it is we came to enjoy!
We wear sunscreen to protect bodies
from the harmful rays of the sun,
and go in the ocean to play,
and have fun.
But do we even think twice,
about it's affect on the beautiful reef?
What about marine life,
If it kills just one fish? What if?
We take part in the pleasures,
But leave behind pain,
How much more of this can she take,
Before nothing remains?
That plastic cup just left on the beach,
was the trash can really that far from your reach?
Or watch as he tosses that cigarette butt in the sand,
See how he did that with just a flick of his hand?
Soon they'll be washed from the sand to the sea,
come, take a look,
if you don't believe me.
It saddens me to see how careless we are,
Do we not realize our trash is carried so far?
We need to repair the damage we've done,
Let's pick up the pieces,
Just start with one.
If we all do our part,
and we all take our turn,
our children will watch us,
and quickly they'll learn.
The Ocean is precious,
It deserves our respect,
We should treat it with care,
and not with neglect.
Next time you are walking along on the beach,
and you see discarded items,
right there in your reach,
don't walk carelessly by,
Pick them up, just give it a try!
If we all do our part,
on land or at sea,
The world will be a better place,
Not only for the children,
but for you and for me.
I wrote this in honor of "World Ocean Day" June 8th, 2011.
As always, thanks for following!
xx
,
Oh Sandra, this is beautiful and so well said! I've written about this on my blog so many time, including the abandoned picnic table full of trash with the bin just a few feet away.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a linky party in honor of World Oceans Day and hope that you will add this post to show others what is happening and raise awareness.
I couldn't have said it better myself and that posted sign? I'm going to see about having those made for our beaches!
Happy World Oceans Day!
Very good post with things we should all be aware of! Happy Oceans day...I have a post up today, too! ♥
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend this is so beautiful and sad. Sad that we see images like that all over and watch as people destroy the beauty that was given to us to care for. It does start with one and I pray that it trickles down to our children so they can not only help but enjoy what we have for years.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your beautiful writings once again.
Love to you!
xoxoxox
I love that sign -it should be posted on ALL beaches!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Sandra...well said.
ReplyDelete(I do hope, however, that you don't avoid wearing sunscreen. Use a good quality kind...one that penetrates the skins' surface and works from within...Skin Cancer is awful!)
Jane
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI came over from Shellbelle's Tiki Hut. You hit the nail right on the head. We all learned it in kindergarten - don't litter & pick up after yourself.
Take good care,
Karen