Come and stand by our shoreline
under the trees
wander through our bushland
where the teal duck flies
the cockatoo feeds
the black swan nests
and the musk duck sings ping.
Come and stand by the shoreline
we will speak to you
with our many voices.
Microbes insects plants
amphibians reptiles
birds fish mammals.
Our energetic ecosystem
built on the detritus
from dead plants leaves stems
broken down in the water
enriched material
feeds us all and
speaks from long ago.
This is our world
and it’s your world.
We purify your water
and cycle your carbon.
We do what we can but
the more you push us
poke holes in our life’s web
change our world
the harder it is.
Don’t degrade our home
filled with diversity
don’t destroy our home.
No road and lights where our microbes lie
no bridge with cars and noise.
Come and stand by our shoreline
wander through our bushland
where the teal duck flies
the cockatoo feeds
the black swan nests
and the musk duck sings ping.

Copyright   Sandra Roe