25 May 2022

Reclaimed Earth Colors



Abandoned mines discharge 
Acidic mine drainage 
Full of oxides 
To the creeks and streams 
Making them toxic and polluted 
For years after the closure of the mine 
The sludge from the polluted streams 
Processed to remove impurities 
And dried at different temperatures 
To make powder of different colors 
When mixed with oil and additives 
And cold-pressed 
Magical paints of reclaimed earth colors emerge 
The tail ends from mines have lumps of minerals 
Crushing those minerals creates natural colors 
That can gloss pottery like in historical times 
Painters can give colors to their imaginations
With paints  made from the mine waste
And get closer to the nature 
To spread the message 
Of healing the nature 




This poem is inspired by a documentary of researchers from Ohio Department of Natural Resources, True Pigments LLC and gamblincolors converting AMD into the paint. Reclaimed Earth Colors is the brand of the paints produced in this manner.  This is not a paid promotion of the brand. I feel this is worthy of a shout-out due to the significance of their efforts. I also came across some other videos of converting minerals from tail end of the abandoned mines into paints. They're natural colors. 

2 comments:

Sara said...

You have put the action of those climate action heroes in such a candid way that your words are shimmering like their sustainable paint.

Thanks for a lovely poem. TC

Isa A said...

This was a really nice idea. Getting inspired of the positives around using clouding initiatives and writing them down into art. Liked it! Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/