In a poem called “Solitude,” written 143 years ago, the American poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox penned the line: “for the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, but has trouble enough of its own.”

Wilcox would undoubtedly be shocked to learn how much additional trouble the earth has seen in the generations following her death in 1919. I’m referring to things like global warming, the rising of the oceans, the poisoning of the atmosphere, soil depletion, and the continued and rapid extinction of many species, including plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and fish.

Indeed, if there was ever a time the earth needed mirth it is now as it faces serious environmental challenges from the bottom the ocean to the outermost layer of the atmosphere, while supporting a growing population of over 8.3 billion people worldwide.

So where do we find it, mirth, that is, in this anxious time? And how do we gift it back to mother earth? Because we are intimately connected, one can logically claim being good stewards of the earth is synonymous with being good caretakers of ourselves. “The earth and myself are one,” taught Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. In an iconic gesture the Buddha in a seated position gently touches the ground with his right hand showing the connection between his enlightened mind and the physical world. So the earth may partake of our joy and gratitude when we are willing to share it via a kind of instantaneous, quantum connection. It’s our ignorance and lack of respect for the connection that gets us into trouble. When we hurt the earth, we hurt ourselves and threaten our own existence.

Our intention in writing The Further Shores of Knowing was to share ideas that would allow people to see more deeply into the perils that have brought suffering to the earth and model new ways of thinking to make positive changes. All the while making sure our audience is inspired and entertained.

The right songs and music can light up a dark world. We hope on this Earth Day you take a moment to support our musical by making a tax-deductible contribution to our project. Let’s offer an entertainment that is important and constructive to the world. If the earth and its inhabitants ever needed it, that time is now!