No species is an island
entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent
a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea
Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of your friends
or of your own were.
Any species extinction diminishes me,
because I am involved in the living world.
And therefore never send to know
for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for you.

 

— Based on Meditation XVII* by John Donne (1572-1631)
Adapted by Giovanni Bearzi in 2019

(*) Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, original spelling and punctuation:
No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a Promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.