THE TRIAL

​

The Earth has been sentenced
To life behind bars
The judge was the sun
The jury - the stars.

​

“We find the defendant,
The Earth, if you please,
is guilty of murder
In every degree.

Its lakes are polluted
Its air is so bad
Plant life is dying.
It’s all very sad.

The trees in the forest
Have all been chopped down.
Birds that once lived there
 are nowhere around.”

The judge bangs his gavel
“The verdict is set”
But then a voice shouts,
“Wait. It’s not over yet.”

Then, enters a child
An innocent face
casting a shadow of doubt
on this case.

He asks for release
and mercy, as well.
“Please do not sentence
the Earth to this hell.

The Earth’s not to blame
for the state that it’s in.
It’s people – Earth’s people -
who’ve committed the sin.

Before you say ‘guilty,’
before you place blame,
look at the problems
and how they all came.

We cannot continue
sucking it dry
Our Earth has its limits
If we’re to survive.

Greed is a culprit
Apathy too
Please come together.
Decide what to do.

Earth’s problems are many.
I’ll surely admit,
but it needs your help
and your love –every bit.

It’s suffered enough.”
Said the child to the court.
“Instead of your verdict
It needs your support.

Think of your children
Think of theirs too
your actions today  
 effect what they’ll do.

The judge stood surprised
at the words of the child.
The jury was stunned.
Reporters went wild!

Cameras were flashing.
Folks ran toward the door.
“Order!” cried the judge.
“Don’t run anymore.”

“Who is this child
whose words ring so true?
Tell me, child,” said the judge,
“Who are you?”

The courtroom grew quiet
There was not a word.
As the small child responded,
“I’m the voice never heard.

Regardless of verdict
Regardless of blame
We must take some action
To end all this shame.

We have the solutions
And most of the facts
We just need to do it
We just need to act!”