TO A WORM

Nematode worm, most ancient of beings
Worm of ten thousand names and a million varieties,
Yet totally overlooked by us until now.

Little worm, that only grows to be an inch or so
But that now holds the key
To the secrets of life itself.

Nematode worm, there are more species of
You than of insects in this world,
But who amongst us have heard of you
Or know your names.

Many of your species have no name
That is how overlooked you have been.
Yet one of you is called C elegans
And what a beautiful, sleek little worm you are.

Nematode worm, you live but a few weeks,
Yet now we can prolong your life for months.
Through you we will learn the secrets of aging.

Marine worm or soil dweller of a million varieties,
You come from the sea and the earth,
And you are one with the sea and the earth
The source of all life.

Nematode worm, most ancient of beings.
Worm of ten thousand names;
You and us are the future.

Worm Lady

 

WHO RESPECTS THE EARTHWORM?

Who respects the earthworm?
I do
Do you?

Who gently helps the stranded worm,
Wiggling on the pavement,
Taking it to the safety of the garden,
Regardless of what time it is at night
Or how you feel.
I do
Would you?

Who remembers the sheer joy of finding and
Measuring
The earthworm as a child?
Gently lining it up along a ruler
To discover it is six inches long.
A decent sized earthworm.
I do
But what about you?

We neglect the earthworm at our cost.
We poison our rivers and soil with chemicals.
Now all the worms have died,
And so will all the insects and the birds,
For they have nothing to eat.

All were dependent on the earthworm,
And ultimately so are we.
Dependent on the worms that sustain life.
So who respects the earthworm?
The one far under the grass in the soil.
The one who keeps the earth forever changing.
I do
But do you?

It is the underground one
But who respects him?
The deep and calm creatures
This silver gray dazzling one in the planet’s soil
I do
Do you?

Worm Lady

 

ELENA BOND, a.k.a "The Worm Lady" is a London poet. She performs regularly at the Foundry in an event named in her honor, "Welcome to Wormworld."