Interview With Mother Earth

By FRANK LINGO

Human Correspondent,
The Gnu Yak Thymes

Ever since I fell off the roof and hit my head, I’ve talked with the plants and animals. But it took all my concentration, all my sensitivity to tune into the subject of this interview. It’s easy to communicate with a plant or animal, compared to finding the frequency of HER!

You know who I’m talking about — The Giver of Life, The Fount of Fertility, The Mother of All Mothers ...

“Who’s calling me?” a deep but feminine voice rumbled thru my mind.

“Uh, your Majesty? Your Goddessness?” I quavered.

“Right. Mother Earth to you, or Gaia, as the Greeks said. Just don’t call me Mom.”

“I’m very honored,” I humbly replied.

“Yes, you are, so make it good,” She snapped.

“Um, how are you doing?’ I ventured.

“I’ll make it. I’m not so sure about you folks, though.”

“You mean humans are an endangered species?” I asked.

“You bet! And by your own hand,” said Gaia. Don’t let your large population fool you.”

“Well, we are very concerned, too. Congress and the president have said we ought to do something about problems like the icecaps melting and the forests getting destroyed.”

Gaia sighed like a strong north wind. “You just don’t get it, do you? When the air is black, the forests bare and the critters all dead, you humans will decide it might be time for some committee to study the matter.”

“So you see the situation as critical right now?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” She replied. “If not for yourselves, then for the millions of species you’re taking with you.”

“We are taking some measures to turn things around,” I noted. “We’re recycling, and we have Earth Day to raise consciousness about the planet.”

“It’s a start, but your measures don’t really measure up,” said Gaia. “Until you quit burning fossil fuels, the damage will continue. As for Earth Day, it’s a bit pathetic to honor Me for one day while the rest of the year you callously rip Me up.”

“But isn’t Earth Day a good way for people to unite in the cause of saving the Earth?” I wondered.

“It would be if there was a real commitment. But Earth day has become a fad for some while most humans pay no attention. Adding insult to injury, big polluters like oil and chemical companies launch fake public relations campaigns to greenwash their images.”

“How can we have a healthy relationship with You” I asked.

“Honor and respect Me. Feel the spirit of everything, including your own. Stop abusing each other, too.”

“That’s bad for the environment?” I asked.

“The Earth loses all wars,” explained Gaia. “Plants and animals have always suffered from your carnage, but now your terrible weapons have made it even worse. And your human tribe won’t survive its war against Nature.”

“Why do You suppose that we’re the one species of Your children who fouls our own nest?”

   “Actually, I’m not sure we’re related,” said Mother Earth. “I think you’re adopted. Some aliens must have dropped you off on a foggy night eons ago. You have some intelligence but you don’t have much sense.”

“One of our scientists says that the Earth is one huge living entity but not a conscious being,” I said.

The ground trembled as she laughed. “He’s not so conscious himself, but he’s closer to the truth than most humans. The trouble with scientists is they’re so focused on the mind that they’ve forgotten the spirit that connects all life.”

“Now You sound religious,” I remarked.

“Spiritual would be a better way to say it. Human religion has finite concepts of the infinite, and it’s often used for power over others. The spirit I speak of animates all life and keeps the balance of nature.”

“Isn’t there anything good You can say about us humans?” I asked.

“If people would cherish the Earth the way they care for their homes and pets, that would be a big improvement. Then I wouldn’t mind you bi-peds bopping around on Me. And I’d love to keep us all healthy and dancing madly around Father Sun.”

Frank Lingo, based in Lawrence, Kansas, is a former columnist for the Kansas City Star and author of the novel “Earth Vote.” See Lingo’s site: www.greenbeat.world. Email: lingofrank@gmail.com.

From The Progressive Populist, May 15, 2022

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