Nature
The Flower Girl
Ikebana. The Japanese always seem to have it all together, don't they? For thousands of years they've been ahead of us, at least when it comes to creating Zen in their lives. Ikebana, is the Japanese art of flower arranging that began developing in the 15th century. While it did take several centuries to become a mainstay in the culture, today, it is seen as a form of therapy, allowing one to change their mood by "influencing the ambiance in their space" through floral design. Basically, it's a simple exercise in appreciation and developing an ability to notice the miraculous beauty and balance of Mother Nature; a quality that always seems to be overlooked by the majority of people racing through life at the texting speed of their thumbs.
By Sydney Chapman5 years ago in Earth
She Was Once
The click of the clasp may as well have been a rifle blast. There was nothing but smoke and ashes, tired rubble, shafted sunlight through the billowing columns - and silence. He stood at the edge of what may have once been a city. For some reason, he sensed he had once known its inhabitants - one inhabitant in particular, of whom he could almost picture delicate features, a mess of auburn hair…
By Alexandra Leigh5 years ago in Earth
The Horizon
Earth used to have three main colors: blue, green, and white. Vast, massive bodies of water blanket her celestial body. Rolling hills and mountains riddled with vibrant, green trees extended outward and upward from her skin. White, puffy clouds surrounding her, granting her a veil of mystery. At least that is what my grandmother always told me. Looking over The Horizon, these statements are hard to grasp. A black sky, covering a planet that could be confused for Mars if it were not for the brown sludge enveloping 50% of the blood red land. Looking upon Earth now is like looking at a ravaged carcass, depleted of its resources by vultures. Our forefathers tell us, the newer generation, that they “escaped” Earth and saved as many citizens as they could. That Earth’s demise was inevitable, and there was nothing that could be done. That might be harder to believe than my grandmother’s stories.
By Austin Sharrett5 years ago in Earth
Transparent Wood
It seems that there are still too many trees on Earth. We already have glass made mostly from silicon dioxide, also known as silica, but it easily breaks when too thin or not bulletproof, unlike a tree’s heart or the skin of its sheared meat. Let us cut down more trees in their infantile prime and turn them into transparent wood. How neat it would look while keeping the elements away in a new style. A transparent ceiling for stargazing, a transparent floor just in case we want to see the ground or what is happening in the basement, transparent walls green-painted for sport, and transparent windows as the pièce de résistance. We never had transparent windows before. How quaint! How revolutionary!
By Patrick M. Ohana5 years ago in Earth
Nature is God
Lockdown Communion with Nature One of the best things that has happened to society as a result of social isolation strategies and lockdowns, is that more and more people are spending time alone in Nature. They are deeply bonding with it and appreciating it. Without companions, the communion with nature is most impactful on the human spirit. When we are alone we have the silence to hear Nature’s voice, to see her subtle emanations. When I contemplate the most profound and awe-inspiring moments of my life, it is always when I am on my own with Nature. Nature is God.
By Sarah Janes5 years ago in Earth
By bark and seedling, thy kingdom come.
The forest and I are the last trees on Earth. From nut to tree I have withstood the vicissitudes of mankind for 600 years. I have survived drought, flood, disease and war but the last 150 years your mankind has taken the absolute pith.
By Lee westbrook 5 years ago in Earth
thoughts of a young deer
He hit the ground with an indignant bump. He looked like a wet rickety folding chair. He had a heart-shaped locket on his neck just over his legs. Instinct made him stand. Instinct and love made his mother lick him. Instinct, love, and evolution had him running at nearly thirty miles an hour fifteen minutes after he was born.
By Cellestine Aggrey5 years ago in Earth
I couldn't be a deep-sea diver.
I find it insane that we know more about space than we do the depths of our oceans. Truly, the fact that we know so much about the skies above us to the degree we have multiple chocolate bars named after the contents of our galaxies and not a single one about anything below sea level is intimidating.
By CJ Francis5 years ago in Earth
