light through trees

Poem: Earth rising

Editor’s Note: “In honor of Earth Week this week, Sister Ruth Johnson, SP, shares the poem below that she wrote to reverence Earth.”

Sometimes I hear voices
rising from the Earth
warm words – sounds
that resonate and flutter
leaves rustling growing
green thoughts from the soil

It is alive and clings to us
in ways we have forgotten
It’s self-giving and
“belonging” sing no more
as it once did
it cries in need of
it pleads for us in all the ways it can

When the Earth speaks
it speaks in tones for
all that grows within and without
it springs from well-being
it speaks to all who
have discovered the
words to live by
it speaks in a language
that only those who
have risen to its voice
can understand
it lives through their
response and when they
forget their birthright
It speaks for itself

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Sister Ruth Johnson

Sister Ruth Johnson

Sister Ruth has been a Sister of Providence for 70 years. She currently ministers as a fiber artist and volunteer at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.

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7 Comments

  1. How beautiful! I just read that doctors are prescribing that patients spend time in nature for overall health. Sister Ruth is right on the cutting edge in so many ways. Thank you, Ruth

  3. What a beautiful reflection, Sister Ruth! It reminds me of Hopkin’s “The world is charged with the grandeur of God.” We are so blessed to have a Creator who placed us in such a vibrant, living environment. May we never forget the responsibility that we bear to respect and sustain it!

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