I resent my own species for damning so many others,

Extinguishing those to whom nature is also mother

If I could change one thing, I would open humanity’s eyes,

Reveal the innocence of the animals to which we cause demise.

Humans do not own this planet, though we’ve taken it captive

For our own superficial pleasures, to make our lives attractive.

Destroying habitats, estranging families, killing those who cannot speak

Why can’t you see, life itself is what they deserve and all they seek.

If I could change one thing, I’d give the animals back their home

Cease the constant intrusion and fragmentation, simply let them roam.

I often worry I can’t save the floral and faunal glory, but I refuse to succumb

To the pressures of my genera, to just be coldhearted and numb.

I am often ridiculed for this passion I feel, but within me it burns so deep

There is no time to wait and see what is to come, we must take a leap.

I know I can’t be the only one who would give up everything to see this through.

My career in ecology or zoology will help me show the world what to do.

If I could change one thing, mother Earth would hear our regrets expressed

She would see the change, nature no longer anthropogenically stressed.

The concept of extinction would ironically be known as a thing of the past,

The biological beauty surrounding us will always last.