Ode to Ecuador

Ecuador
Land where I had never been before

I rode it's buses
Heard it's babies making fusses'

Dug my hands deep in it's earth
Even dipped my toes in it's surf

My eyes have been opened
To another way of life
Full of much strife

Through friendships forged over hauling rocks
I discovered some of life's building blocks

I envy the sense of pride that is apparent
For locals, I think it might be inherent

From soaring volcanoes to black sand beaches
To fruit stands overflowing with peaches

But all was not oh so rosy
Because the bugs liked to get oh so cozy
In my bed, on my skin
I killed so many, I think it might be a sin.

Why oh why do your people litter?
It made for me feeling a wee bit bitter

My heart was alight
When new friends picked up trash on the beach not out of spite
But because it brought them delight

To clean up the country that they love
Gave me a sense of hope in humanity
Almost as if sent from above

Goodbye to land where our roses originate
My hope for you is that potable water will be available to all
Not just those who can afford it or by fate

Please stop harvesting wood from the Amazon,
For the parrots soon will have nothing to stand upon.

Ciao for now
And may the sun be never too heavy on your brow.