Make the Earth Your Companion by J. Patrick Lewis

Make the Earth Your Companion
by
J. Patrick Lewis

Make the Earth your companion.
Walk lightly on it, as other creatures do.

Let the Sky paint her beauty—she is always

watching over you.

Learn from the Sea how to face harsh forces.

Let the River remind you that everything will pass.

Let the Lake instruct you in stillness.

Let the Mountain teach you grandeur.

Make the Woodland your house of peace.

Make the Rainforest your house of hope.

Meet the Wetland on twilight ground.

Save some small piece of Grassland for a red kite

on a windy day.

Watch the Icecaps glisten with crystal majesty.

Hear the Desert whisper hush to eternity.

Let the Town weave a small basket of togetherness.

Make the Earth your companion.

Walk lightly on it, as other creatures do.

From National Geographic's Book of Animal Poetry (National Geographic Children’s Books, 2012).
Used with the author’s permission.

J. Patrick Lewis was the U.S. Children's Poet Laureate from 2011-2013. Author of 85 children’s picture/poetry books and veteran of more than 500 visits to elementary schools around the world, J. Patrick spent many years as an economics professor before becoming a full-time writer. A resident of Westerville, Ohio, he is a twin, a fact he says "has shaped my life indelibly and delightfully from the womb." Pat is also the author of a collection of poetry for adults, Gulls Hold Up the Sky, and a nonfiction poetry primer for teachers. Learn more about him at www.jpatricklewis.com.

rhonasheridan:
How I wish we did walk quietly on this earth. We don't and I feel we are killing far too much of both the earth and the creatures in it. What a lovely poem
Posted 04/26/2014 01:20 AM

Latha:
Great advice! Fabulous poem!
Posted 04/23/2014 04:21 AM

msruff:
I love the first two sentences, repeated at the end. It sums up all the sentiments beautifully.
Posted 04/22/2014 11:34 AM

mimi:
a most lovely and appropriate poem for Earth Day..
Posted 04/22/2014 06:26 AM

laurasalas:
I love this poem, especially: Learn from the Sea how to face harsh forces. Let the River remind you that everything will pass. And that red kite! This is one of my favorite anthologies of all time. Absolutely stunning. Happy Earth Day!
Posted 04/22/2014 06:19 AM

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