Oh, lowly lichen,
how few understand you!
Some of your species are thought
to be some of the oldest creatures on earth.
You work to control UV exposure, even
though you are small and grow so slow.
With cyanobacteria you
revive the soil's fertility.
But you are not just in a symbiotic
relationship with plants and trees;
To global human society, you've
served our needs in so many ways.
To many peoples, who resort to natural ways,
you've been the source of pigments and dyes.
You've even served as food in harsh climatic
extremes; and some thought you a delicacy!
Not all people underestimate you;
you have wonderful medicinal value.
Old wives, herbalists, and scientists have
learned your secret antibiotic properties.
You're not only beneficial to soil and living things,
But you help to purify the air we breathe.
And you are so sensitive to air pollution - a
warning is the lack of your presence in any area!
It is the earliest warning sign we have of
harmful conditions present to all living things.
Oh, if only more people would have
a care and be aware, and learn about you!
And learn about our ecosystems, how we're all
connected and beholden to each other in some way:
For every action, there is an equal reaction,
and every action has some effect on us all.
What wondrous things come in small packages,
such as the lowly, delicate lichen!
Author notes
Contest Option N
-------------------------
It's the botanist in me coming out again;
for more info. go to: http://www.lichen.com/people.html
In a list
A contest entry
- Alphabet Options by fakeport.
1000 points, ended June 12, 2008, 14 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Whatever by crazymomma.
450 points, ended June 9, 2008, 76 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
We're all connected in some way, don't you think?
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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I think this line should be in "" and cited. This was totally cool. Only you could write about something that often goes unnoticed and make it beautiful.
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wow very beautiful.. enjoyed it a lot!
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Love it
It's like a botany lesson in a poem, used to raise issues of the damage humans are doing to the planet. Everything is connected, and you've expressed that very well. Thanks a lot for your entry. -
LICHEN,
WELL LIVE AND LEARN,
THANK YOU FOR SHARING,
ISN'T GOD AMAZING,
WONDERFULLY CREATIVE AND INTERESTING.
GOD BLESS...
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SWEET!!!!
This is just great. I adore all of the imagery, and the information is brilliant. I too love plants and gardening. Maybe you could stop by sometime, if ya have the time. Your penning is too die for!!!
POETDONTKNOWIT
WRITING IT HER WAY -
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I will try to do so today, after classes. Thank you for your lovely comment!
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hee hee
I learned a lot here. many things I didnt know. God has made some amazing things.
I just hope this isnt followed up by the ode to mildew 
No this is great my friend. God bless you Mark
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I'll pass on mildew
Even though people joke about it being WA state's symbolic flower.
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