Earthship

A self-sustainable home  

Amidst the arid and desert areas

Walls are erected 

By ramming soil on old tyres 

Filling old glass bottles and cans 

Binding it with  soil, mud, and other binders

A long sloped roof to the back 

Wooden support and structure 

A linear building from the front 

With huge glass panes to 

Welcome all the sunshine 

The backyard is filled with soil to make slopes

It and the wall act as thermal storage 

Releases heat on cooler nights 

The Greenhouse in the building 

Grows vegetables and fruits 

It helps in bringing fresh oxygen 

The rainwater from the roofs fills 

The water storage tanks to meet the water needs

Grey water from kitchen, bathroom, and sinks

Goes through natural filtration beneath 

The bed of plants and provide water to them 

Then it is recirculated to flush the toilet 

Even the septic tank sludge is used for

Making manure for the plants and trees outside 

The solar panels and wind turbines make

Off-grid life as a reality in a society

Away from the hustles of cities 

The piping systems from the rooms to the 

Lower slope areas help in the recirculation of fresh air

With temperatures varying with the climate 

 A sustainable house that could reduce carbon emissions

With the usage of wasted materials and renewable energy

It is now sustainable in tropics and rainy areas too

With the use of different materials to cope with local climate 

This poem is based on countless documentaries and videos about earth ships I saw over the years. It is remarkable that wasted materials like old tyres, glass bottles, and beer or soft drinks cans among others can make a sustainable home. Earthships, with advanced designs, provide comfortable living with off-grid energy and sustainable water usage. This is ideal for those who wish to live amidst nature and lead a sustainable lifestyle. The images were taken by Earthship Biotecture Australia and Claire Carrion.