The Ecology Symbol

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Once upon an Earth Day millions

marched to Ron Cobb’s creation

melding the E for environment

and the O for organism

to create the ecology symbol

 

Such a simple graphic,

just a circle and slash to symbolize

care for the planet,

respect for nature,

and the nurturing of a legacy

for generations unborn

 

Today I didn’t see the ecology symbol

at the Climate marches

But it’s co-conspirator the peace symbol

seems to be everywhere

At Wal-mart you can buy it

on underwear and day glow T shirts

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The vanishing ecology symbol

with its pesky admonitions

to reduce consumption,

reuse materials,

and respect nature

must be

too threatening to the dollar sign worshippers

 

It must be too threatening

to the comfort of North Americans

who consume 60 percent

of the Earth’s resources

just to support our obese life style

 

It must be too threatening

to the 80 million new mouths

birthed on the planet each year

babies who will aspire to America’s life style

Babies who will be in for a surprise

 

If everyone lived like Americans

we would need a planet three times

the size of Mother Earth

and the last time I looked

she’s not gaining weight.