The First Earth Day

was founded by John McConnell and
anthropologist Margaret Meade in 1969.
John initiated the tradition of the annual
ringing of the United Nations
Peace Bell. Independent and
working with the faith that
God (and friends) would
provide expenses, John met
with world leaders everywhere to
persuade them to see the logic of peace--
economically, socially and environmentally.

Raised as a Quaker, John was a
conscientious objector during WWll but
did not avoid the conflict, joining
the Merchant Marines in transporting arms
in hazardous missions across the Atlantic.

While on projects in New York,
I'd meet with John and his volunteer staff
at the UN and stayed with him at his
modest home in Brooklyn where he
lived with his wife, Anna.
I interviewed him on video in the late 80s.
By the way, the UN Peace Bell continues to be
rung in a ceremony in late December.
Learn more about John McConnell.

Ben Harrsion, writer, photographer, designer.

A Glass Floor

So let's say...
you live in a high
house with a glass
floor. Way down
below the floor grows
a field of flowers.

In the mornings
you walk barefoot
across the cool smooth
surface. A spring
breeze trails behind
you. Your footprints
leave tracks that fade
on the glass.

You w
atch the flowers
as the morning breeze
strokes them awake.
They move in slow
waves rolling like
ocean swells. You take
a sip of coffee
and feel spring come.
Again.