National Poetry Month 2020 Day 20: “First they Came for the Jews” & “Conservation Song”

Sometimes poetry can be downright chilling, and serve as a call to awareness and growth. It can be a stark
form of truth-telling which inspires others to speak their truth as well. I think this is an example:

First They Came for the Jews

By Martin Neimuller

First they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew. 

Then they came for the communists

And I did not speak out—

Because I was not communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out—

Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me—

And there was no one left

To speak out for me.

One topic about which I believe it is important to speak out and inspire change is our very environment.
Since my youth I have had strong convictions about caring for humans, animals, and the planet and optimism
that through education and action, we can make a difference in these areas. I came up with this catchy tune
as a kid, and it would play in my mind as a song. It feels unfinished, but here’s the refrain from back then:

Conservation Song

By Blythe Stephens

Reduce,

Re-use,

Recycle.

Don’t take the car,

Use the bicycle.

Thought by a thinker,

Planned by a planner,

Said by a speaker,

We can make it work!