Patti Smith writes poem for Greta Thunberg's 17th birthday

Greta Thunberg has won the hearts of many across the globe for her determination in trying to raise awareness for climate change.

Having turned 17 today (3 January), Patti Smith has shared a poem about the environmental activist on Instagram.

Smith writes, "This is Greta Thunberg, turning seventeen today, asking for no accolade, no gifts, save we not be neutral. The Earth knows its kind, just as all deities, just as animals and the healing spring. Happy birthday to Greta, who stood today, as every Friday, refusing to be neutral."

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This is Greta Thunberg, turning seventeen today, asking for no accolade, no gifts, save we not be neutral. The Earth knows its kind, just as all deities, just as animals and the healing spring. Happy birthday to Greta, who stood today, as every Friday, refusing to be neutral.

A post shared by This is Patti Smith (@thisispattismith) on Jan 3, 2020 at 5:54am PST

The last part of Smith's poem refers to Thunberg's appearances at the protests outside the Swedish parliament every week. She's there again today, on her 17th birthday.

School strike week 72.#fridaysforfuture #climatestrike #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/E5epI2bawt

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 3, 2020