Since 1970, the Earth Day movement has grown, so that it is celebrated worldwide in over 175 countries by hundreds of millions of people. At Hilltown, we honor the day lifting our voices in verses which describe many facets of what Earth day means; verses that honor the beauty around us, describe our connection to the earth, speak of changes through history in that relationship, and highlight the actions and attitudes that will take us forward towards a sustainable relationship from which we all benefit.
Poetry By Class:
- Blues (K/1):
- Prisms (7/8):
- Song Poem by Chief Dan George Salish (Salish Tribe, British Colombia)
- Delight in Nature (Inuit People, Greenland/Northern Canada
- Purples (6):
Prisms (Gr. 7/8)
This poem—also called a song-- was written by Chief Dan George Salish who lived from 1899-1981. Chief Dan was chief of the Salish Tribal Band in British Columbia. In this poem, he expresses his feelings when human beings do not care for Mother Earth.All is finished. I wanted to give something of my past to my grandson. I told him that I would sing the sacred wolf song over him. In my song, I appealed to the wolf to come and preside over us while I would perform the wolf ceremony so that the bondage between my grandson and the wolf would be lifelong. I sang. In my voice was the hope that clings to every heartbeat. I sang. In my words were the powers I inherited from my forefathers. I sang. In my cupped hands lay a spruce seed, the link to creation. I sang. In my eyes, sparkled love. And the song floated on the sun’s rays from tree to tree. When I had ended, it was as if the whole world listened with us to hear the wolf’s reply. We waited a long time but none came. Again I sang, humbly but as invitingly as I could. . . until my throat ached and my voice gave out. All of a sudden I realized why no wolves had heard my sacred song— there were none left! My heart filled with tears. I could no longer give my grandson faith in the past—our past. I . . .wept in silence. All is finished! |
Isn’t it lovely, the little river cutting through the gorge when you approach it slowly while trout are standing behind stones in the stream? Isn’t it lovely, the river’s thick grass banks? But I shall never again meet Willow Twig, my dear friend I long to see again. Well, that’s how it is. The winding run of the stream through the gorge is lovely. Isn’t it lovely, the bluish rocky island out there when you approach it slowly? What does it matter That the blowing spirits of the air stray over the rocks because the island is lovely when you approach it at an easy pace and haul it in? |
Blues (K/1)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Eensy-weensy Spider)Reduce, reuse, recycle-words that we all know. We have to save our planet so we can live and grow. Grandparents, parents, children, we will try, you’ll see. And we will save this planet; it starts with you and me! |
Recycle
(tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)We recycle what we use, Separate things and you should too! Glass and paper, plastic, tin, Go in your recycling bin. We must start now, we can’t wait, Re-cy-cle-ing is great! |
Purples (6)
Each of the Purples wrote a poem following the haiku form looking at something in the natural world and made expressionist paintings to accompany them.Creekby MaireA small, quiet creek Running gently as ever Flowing sleepily |
Oceanby RainSitting in the sand Waves sweeping the rocky shore The sea is alive |
Bambooby ShomariGrowing so quickly It is smooth but also hard Bamboo surrounds you |
Lionsby LiamLions have big teeth They’re very long and pointy Please do not eat me |
Fallingby BellaRed leaves falling down Falling down to cool brown earth To be stepped on--crunch |
Willowby AbbyYour limbs hanging still Wind blowing the small flowers To land gracefully |
Snowby ToriLittle flakes drifting Touch down on the frozen ground A blanket of white |
The Evolution of Wavesby DoryBigger and bigger Cool frothy waves roll towards the shore Crash! Forever gone |
Forest Fireby JessieSmoke rises from the trees As a fire begins to burn Crackling and snapping |
Bearby TyberThe silent footfalls Fur that stands out in the green A bear in the woods |
Diamonds in the Skyby ZachDescribed as diamonds They light up the nighttime sky Shining hope to all |
Riverby JasonThe river flows fast It follows me to my house Then on to the sea |
Summer to Winterby RenataLook out the window And the flowers bloom and die The seasons pass by |
Dandelionsby NatThe dandelion Yellow petals in a ring The beautiful weed |
Iciclesby KylieIcicles falling Their round and gleaming smoothness Reflecting winter |
Waterby NedWater can be blue Water can be green as grass Water can be clear |
Pandasby RubenBlack, white and happy They are very big and strong And they like bamboo |
Bushby JesseThe bushes burst out Like a flower in the spring Winter turns them brown |
Summer Daysby RosieAs the sun goes down My summer day melts away Almost gone away |
Big MoonSwim in the waterWater is a shining big moon Don’t want to leave now |
