Earth in Verse

Dear Friend,

Earth Day is all about appreciating our connection to the earth. We are all apart of a dynamic and vibrant network that starts with the basics of earth, air, water and fire. If you missed my events, you can listen to this recording.

Each poem is an expression of my love and appreciation for our home. A short grounding practice and writing prompt is included in the first five minutes.

Following is my poem on Earth.

Under “Story”

Musings of a Pedologist

I dig in, puncturing the earth’s surface.

The soft sand, rich loams, and sticky clays 

surrender to the intrusion of my shovel.

The blade shoves and cuts roots -

Some thin and fibrous, others woody and gnarled.

Dicot or monocot, roots are the protectors, 

and connectors to mycorrhizae fungi and soil biota.

Down I push into the life sustaining substance of all earthly inhabitants.

What riches are below our feet.

Dark loams rich in humic acid

remnants of thousands of cycles of life and death.

The grandest of all food webs resides below.

Giving back-all that is received and more.

I prod onward wondering what surprise I will find-

for soils are rarely the same. 

Color, structure and texture change with depth.  

The familiar clink of rock

signals an end to my exploratory journey.

 Does the earth feel this intrusion?

Small as it is, small as I am, 

as vital and all encompassing as the Earth IS

I keep these wonderings alive

when I pierce our skin. 

You can purchase my books here. Please share this email with others if you like.

In deep gratitude,

Christine McDonald