Mike Brown, a student in Mr. Scott Knapp’s horticulture class at Cedar Creek Corrections Center shared his poem with Mr. Knapp, who then shared it with us. With Mr. Brown’s permission, we now share it with all of you:
In Service to the Earth
To those who heal and protect the earth
In all ways and large.
To those who throw a protective shield ‘gainst
Industries toxic barge.
Endangered Checkerspot Butterfly from Mission Creek Corrections Center. Photo by SPP Staff.
Valued be the composters; gardeners;
Breeders of worms; frogs; bees and soil renewers.
To those who train dogs for the military vet;
Much appreciation, though we’ve never met.
To those who choose to purify the air.
Makers of clean water…all share,
From rivers, lakes, creeks and sea’s.
To those who plant trees.
Rearing Endangered Frogs. Photo by Joslyn Rose Trivett.
Valued are those who heal the prairies,
Grasslands, and renew the seeds.
Those who fight pollution by recycling and restore
The lore of fisheries
Herbs of plants (their healing salve),
Wildflowers that feed the gopher, butterfly,
And larks in the sky.
Valued are those who ask questions, “Why?”
Amending the Soil. Photo by SPP Staff.
Valued are those who heal cities.
Healing to them for whom the flock flows slowly.
To those with excitement and creativity.
Those who promote prison sustainability.
Beekeeping at Cedar Creek Corrections Center. Photo by SPP Staff.
Valued are those who’s wounded and bled,
Who risk themselves in service to the earth.
To all who give, nature will sing:
“Thank you for life,” courtesy of everything!”
-Mike Brown
