Does Our Survival Depend On Getting Off Our Planet Poem by James McLain

Does our survival depend on getting off our planet?

In the vast expanse of cosmic grace,
Our tiny world spins, a fragile embrace.
Mankind, a speck on this celestial stage,
Contemplates its destiny with hope and rage.

Do we look to the heavens with fear in our eyes,
Seeking salvation in distant starlit skies?
Or shall we believe that our fate lies here,
Nurturing Earth, our cradle so dear?

With every advance, technology's stride,
We venture to worlds that we dream to abide.
Mars beckons, the Moon calls our name,
But is this the answer to our survival's claim?

Should we build rockets to seek refuge afar,
Escape the blight we have caused, this scar?
Or do we address the root of our plight,
Heal the wounds of our home, make things right?

For Earth, our mother, provides all we need,
From forests to oceans, every fertile seed.
Yet greed and destruction have marred her grace,
Putting in question our future's embrace.

Climate change looms, a warning bell tolls,
Melting ice caps, rising seas, eroding our goals.
Species vanish, ecosystems teeter and sway,
Can we save ourselves if we stray far away?

The answer lies not solely in cosmic escape,
But in stewardship of Earth, for our survival's sake.
We must cherish her resources, treat them with care,
Embrace sustainable living, breathe cleaner air.

With innovation and science, let us devise,
Ways to heal and restore, to be truly wise.
Renewable energy, eco-friendly solutions,
Preserve our planet, the ultimate resolution.

So, as we gaze at the stars, let us not forget,
That our destiny's tethered to this terrestrial set.
The answer to our question, 'Can we endure? '
Lies not in abandoning Earth, but making her pure.

For our survival, dear friends, rests in our hands,
To protect and preserve, as nature commands.
Let us not forsake this celestial abode,
But cherish it deeply, for it's our only ode.