When I strike on the streets in mass protest
And warn you to change or beware
It’s not because I’m foolhardy –
It’s because I care
When I brood in the quagmire of worry
And greet your bright smile with a stare
It’s not because I’m unhappy –
It’s because I care
I care that the forests are burning
That the storms are grey prophets of gloom
I care that the children are yearning
For a future where nature can bloom
When I speak with the words of the voiceless
And lay my stark message out bare
It’s not because I’m emotive –
It’s because I care
When I spark with the flames of great passion
And hope that you’ll take up my dare
It’s not because I’m hot-headed –
It’s because I care
I care that the homeless are growing
That the poor cannot flee from their pains
I care that the blood is still flowing
That the slaves are not free from their chains
When I strive for a future that’s better
And look for a purpose to share
It’s not because I’m a hippie –
It’s because I care
When I burst with ideas for solutions
And tackle tough problems with flair
It’s not because I’m creative –
It’s because I care
I care that the animals suffer
That the farms are like factories of doom
I care that survival gets tougher
That the sixth mass extinction now looms
When I call for bold action on climate
And demand that you clean up the air
It’s not because I’m dramatic –
It’s because I care
When I speak of the need for more justice
And implore you to do what is fair
It’s not because I’m a dreamer –
It’s because I care
I care that all black lives should matter
That the scourge of race-hatred remains
I care that the women get battered
That they still have to fight for their gains
When I wish for rewilding of nature
And the right to protect life so rare
It’s not because I’m a “greenie” –
It’s because I care
When I join in the movement for changes
It’s not my intention to scare
It’s just me shaping our future –
It’s because I care.
Wayne Visser © 2021
Book
Wishing Leaves: Favourite Nature Poems
This creative collection, now in its 3rd edition, brings together nature poems by Wayne Visser, celebrating the diversity, beauty and ever-changing moods of our planet. The anthology includes many old favourites like “I Think I Was a Tree Once” and “A Bug’s Life”, as well as brand new poems like “Monet’s Dream” and “The Environmentalist”. Then as we turned our faces to the moon / Our hands entwined, our hearts in sync, in tune / We felt the fingers of the silken breeze / And made our wishes on the falling leaves / A gust of wind set off a whispered sigh / Among the trees that leaned against the sky. Buy the paper book / Buy the e-book.
