Earth Etude for Elul 13–Next Time You Are Thirsty
by Rayna Carner
~ Plastic bottles between you and me
Drinken once and then thrown into the sea
Not directly- first they’re thrown in the trash
They travel to the landfill among other ash
Precipitation ensues, carrying empty bottles away
They float into oceans, breaking into micro-pieces for eternal stay
Marine life mistakes bright plastic for treat
Pollution-ridden homes, they decide to eat
Now, those plastic bottles that our oceans are so rich in
Will move from small fish to medium to seafood in our kitchen
~ So that water or soda or caffeinated tea?
That you thought you got rid of but really threw in the sea?
Is sitting there on your very plate
Do you want this to be your grandchildren’s fate?
~ Please, reuse and recycle that annoying bottle!
Whoever said single-use must be the road to follow?
Because no one wants micro-plastic floating in their sea
Please remember next time you’re thirsty
Rayna Carner is a current freshman at Tulane University planning to major in Environmental Studies. She is from Natick, Massachusetts, and was involved throughout high school in the teen community at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley. This summer, Rayna interned at JCAN, creating two infographic guides about how to have a sustainable b’nei mitzvah project and party.
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