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Earth Day Hillol Ray Hillol Ray, Poet Laureate, Author, and Song Writer, is an Environmental Engineer/Manager of Drinking Water Supply Enforcement Program, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas, Texas. He has been writing poetry since the age of six, in his native language "Bengali". His poems are regularly published in "Six Country Reporter" at EPA in Dallas and Bengali magazines from Asia, Europe, Canada, Sweden, and North America and are currently being translated into English, Swedish, Spanish, French and German languages. But one of his recent poems, "Earth Day", has made him an "overnight" sensation. It was read at several local observations, presented at a celebration in Arizona, displayed by the Dallas Museum of Art, and has been published worldwide. It also earned him letters of personal recognition from President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Jr. and Indian Ambassador S.S. Ray (no relation!) in Washington, DC. click here to read Hillol Ray's other poems on SAWF.

We are all puppets to cheer on this Earth, While joy and sorrow always come since our birth ! Daylights follow dusk towards the gloomy nights, And bring us such a joy to renew our sights ! Fresh air and clean water nourish our souls, Without them, we suffer, and pay the heavy tolls ! To put a stop to these tolls, EPA was formed - Over two decades ago, and brains were stormed ! For protection of nature, EPA took the vow - To offer simple tips, let me tell 'em now ! Banning pesticides and lead in gasoline - Made the giant move to make the nature clean ! Recycling became a daily household chore - To reduce costs and protect the seashore ! Reduction of emissions created the flow - Of cleaner air, and polluters took a blow ! Dumping of sewage into lakes and streams - Was banned to prevent leery public screams ! Pollution of water became a salient issue - To protect human health and aquatic tissue ! The situation has changed over twenty-five years, And laws are in place to remove our fears ! Now an annual event hangs around us - To recognize Earth Day without any fuss! So let's all sing Save the Earth songs, And do things right to hear loud gongs ! Now, always think "Earth Is In Your Hands", Here at home or in foreign lands ! So let us follow these few simple roles, To avoid the agonies of all future souls ! Conserve the water as much as you can, While you are bathing or washing the van ! Recycle and prevent pollution at the source, While care should be motive and the hidden force ! Plant the trees in open private space, To create the shade and cool your face ! Try the carpool with a friend, or share a ride - To control the air and emission ebb tide ! Dispose off pesticides in a real safe manner, And label before you bury 'em under a banner ! Organize all efforts to discard the waste, EPA may be called to quench any quest ! Invite friends to attend the Earth Day Acts, And define each role to convey all facts ! Reward the guys for a job well done To share the benefits and all the fun ! Well, now you really know what you have to do - And celebrate "Earth Day" without further woo !!!

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** April 22nd of each year is celebrated as "Earth Day" in the U.S., and observed by other countries throughout the world around this date. This poem "Earth Day" is dedicated to such a worthy cause.

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