Green Spirit - Eunice Ngongkum

Foremost flame of our unique earth
tree hugger Wangari Maathai
now gone one to be with the earth
you untiringly held fort for
I salute you ecowarrior!
Our forests you mothered, mother
from the Ngong Hills to the Congo
standing high our timber trees
in the face of grasping power.

Truth to tyranny oft you spoke
taking a chance on its irksome ire
undaunted, your green spirit swords crossed
with creepers of our biomass
bent on bleeding our bleeding boughs.
These you pasted with potent points
in conservation's combat zone
earning well-earned crowns of glory
while staging forest views with verve.

Your superb shot shines still
firing us for the big time fight
safeguarding our neck of the woods
I salute you ecowarrior!

(In memory of Wangari Maathai)

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Eunice Ngongkum (20th century) Cameroon
Source: Free Verse

Wangari Muta Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist.