Poetry

 

We produce – for the sake of economic growth.
We don’t reuse – the reason for it is sloth.
We recycle – yes, like world champions do.
However, we don’t reduce – neither consumption, nor waste, nor shampoo.

Let’s stop talking trash – stop thinking about cash,
And start a serious conversation about real-world trash:
There are masks on the ground, in creeks and on trees,
Fighting for dominance with birds, turtles and bees.
Trash is burned by humankind – you have fancy incineration plants in mind?
But think of the people burning trash outside – in backyards, on streets, or on tracks alike.

There are dump sites and landfills, there is litter in the streets,
and plastic bags, micro and nano – a huge mess of deceits.
Plastic floats around oceans in all forms and shapes and competes,
with seahorses and coral reefs, to be the ocean’s elites.

 

Out of sight does not mean out of mind, indeed,
If we don’t act now, we only get further behind; that’s guaranteed.
So, let’s stand together, here and now –
Let’s stand up and fight and say: PLASTIC CIAO!

 

Mirjam Grünholz, February 2022

 

 

Photo Credits: Suman Paul