Leave a light footprint:
tread softly on your way
go with grace and dignity and always
with a light step
with a light heart
without a thought
of waste
or want
or wishing more than plenty;
seeking only
harmony
take nothing more than what you give.
Leave a light footprint:
one day
your children
will follow in the steps you leave behind
leave them a clear path
and a safe route
to a bright future;
turn off the light on your way out
that they may shine the brighter.
Leave a light footprint, make
a deep impression on the hearts
of those you love.
Ā© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved
Written for Earthweal
I’m reading ‘How bad are bananas?‘ by Mike Berners-Lee at the moment. This fascinating book aims to calculate the carbon footprint of a variety of daily activities from taking a shower to driving a mile by car, through to the food we eat. I thoroughly recommend this book, as it has made me far more carbon conscious, if not entirely carbon literate (yet).
One of the big take-aways from this book is that we can’t leave the climate crisis for our governments to sort out (look what a mess the majority of them have made of handling the covid crisis). Of course, we need big changes on the political scale, but these changes ought to start at grassroots level. And the first step in making the necessary changes is to educate ourselves about exactly what contribution we as individuals are making to the climate crisis.
Another big take-away is that we shouldn’t waste anything, ever. And I would include in this all of our time on earth. Let’s use it wisely and leave a habitable earth for our children and for future generations.
That is beautiful.
Thank you Vinny š
The overall concept of leaving the legacy of a ‘light footprint’ is an enchanting vision, and your words beautifully conveyed a lovely storyline… š
Thank you, Ivor š not sure my own footprint is light enough right now but at least Iām working to change it… š£ š
We can all tread more softly, walking lightly comes as wisdom grows
Lovely.
Thank you š
This is beautiful, Ingrid! š
Thank you so much š
So very beautifully done, Ingrid! I love the use of repetition to emphasise the message and the lightness of language to match the lightness of tread.
Thank you, Kim!
Serious and good advice. To lead good lives we must live thoughtful ones. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe: I am trying!
If only everyone did…
Well done Ingrid
Thank you Kim š
Beautiful, and I love this in particular:
<3
David
Thanks David š
So deftly done that I took it to be a well-known piece that I should’ve already known about. But it is not and so this makes it all the much better xo
Thank you kindly, Nick! I have given up on trying to write modern-sounding poetry and itās quite liberating!
Yeah, good! It’s all the abandoned capital letters I worry about š (I notice that you rather brilliantly tightrope between both big letter/little letter in this piece!)
All hail the return of Big Letter & The semi-Colon Sisters! x
Oh I did abandon capitals then decided they were allowed after a colon just to cause confusion as to which camp I belong…
Yeah, what she said.
gOd sAvE thE qUEEn: X
What a beautiful message your words imprint! Knowing we are paving a way and always leaving room for new paths to deviate is a call to be intentional.
I agree, thank you for your kind comment š
Your message and your poem is such a poingent and important message strung seamlessly and effortless Ingrid! I loved it and the book sounds fascinating reminding us of the imprints we leave behind and to leave gift our children with that message. No matter how young or old, they are always watching. Bravo! šššššš
Thank you Cindy š£ ā¤ļøš
pleasure! ā¤ļøš¤
Such a beautiful poem! Way to be!
Such a lovely poem about the way to be, way to live. Enjoyed reading it.
Thank you š
This is beautiful, and just what we need to move towards, as fast as we can, right now!
Thank you Carolyn, if only everyone felt this way š
Very wise words. You have to wonder at the motivations of those very vocal critics of government innaction. Often it’s only an excuse for doing nothing themselves. The whatabouters who could easily cut down on the crap they eat and the wasted futile journeys etc etc but they don’t lift a finger.
Thatās unfortunately very true!
Too many mouths, too few brains.
š
Soulful …….
Thank you š