Dear Earth, he made me cry

We were watching men and women run alongside the lake. They were two thirds into their 10 kilometres. You were too hot, Earth, as if you had a fever. People were struggling – pouring sweat, beetroot coloured, their bodies moving in tortured caricatures.

He was standing next to us. He was calling out encouragement as the runners pushed past. “Keep going, mate.” If they had names on their shirts he used them. “Come on Sam. Good work Malcolm”. As I listened, my throat thickened and I found myself on the verge of weeping. My heart filled up.

The runners weren’t strangers to him, but fellow beings, engaged in an important and difficult task. He cared about them. They were, for those moments, a part of his family.

Dear Earth, I know that we see each other like this when we are not preoccupied. Some of us are running, and some of us are supporting those who are running. Some of us are skipping this race, so we can let our injuries heal. We all have different parts to play.

We care about you too, when we find space from the work of survival – physical and psychological. We can often find these spaces when we visit you – gazing at the enormity of the sea or examining a fine scarlet beetle.

Help us to find these spaces, so we can be kind to you and to each other. Help remove the veils from our eyes so we can see that we are all brothers and sisters, travelling on the same opulent, luscious, awesome boat.

Love, Satya <3