Poetry

A Depreciating Earth
by Obaro K. Rita
Federal Government College, Warri

O most beautiful planet
Princess of the solar system
Richly endowed and blessed with children.
The envy of other planets
A generous mother So kind and loving
So selfless But oh! what children you have
Children who depreciate you
Who torment you
Who strip you of your vegetative clothing and
Choke you for selfish reasons
They take away one thing that matters to you.
Your beauty They make you fruitless
They take away your bounty.

An agonizing earth
A tormented earth
One tormented day and night by her own fruits.
Children who have turned nature robbers.
Who say no to recycling and
No to waste dumps.
They would rather deface you.
They choke you with carbon
Not minding your health.
They painstakingly pollute every part of you
From your atmosphere, to your soil and even below.
O! what depredation
See how graceless she is becoming
Her beauty fading and she, ageing,

O mother earth
When shall thou arise
Fully clothed in your ethereal beauty?
When will you smile again?
What a glorious day it would be
When your children realize their mistake
And like the prodigal return T
hat you may no longer weep but
Smile at the rising sun.