Post by thefleetsin on Jul 20, 2018 18:54:42 GMT
i will speak for trees
it started with
a
simple fire,
a spark so long ago.
as
lightning streaked
across the sky,
a
branch fell
down below.
into the wondering
grasp of
man
who fanned and flamed
its glow.
they gathered ‘round
the
embers fire
knelt down to see
its light.
as
fingers reached
to
touch the pyre
a scream shattered
the night.
and
before its echo
died away
my ending was in sight...
“we have found a new beginning,
oh sweet shelter from the storm.
let the winters fall upon us,
we have trees to keep us warm.
we’ll raise canopies of cedar,
of oak and birch and ash.
we have more than what our needs are
more than anyone could ask.”
so i watched man
from
a distance,
as my brothers
lost
their lives.
we
could offer
no resistance,
none
could plead
for
compromise.
when an axe
makes a decision:
there’s
no place
for us to hide!
with the wind
i woke my children,
be strong and straight
and true.
hold fast your roots
to
mother earth,
we’ll survive
when man is through.
as
one by one
they fell away,
i began to fear the truth.
“we must clear away the forest
for our factories and farms.
remove what stands before us
there’s no need to be alarmed.
yes the trees will always be here
let the mighty redwood fall.
bring your tractors and your chainsaws
we have work for one and all.”
so the centuries
rolled
onward
and we grew to
disdain man.
as he
ravaged
all the forests,
without conscience
without plan.
i cried out
along
the treetops:
are there none
who
understand?
just then
i felt
the footsteps of
a child
not more than ten.
reaching out
to
touch my body
i could feel
this was a friend.
when
she wrapped
arms
around me
and her tears
seeped
through my skin.
“i have come to ask forgiveness
for what we have done to you.
i know that i am just a child,
please show me what to do.”
so i
shook
my
biggest branches
and
let all my seedlings fall
here is
where our chance is
yes a child will
lead them
all
from the ashes of the fires
one small heart
has
heard
my call!
sjw 1986
from the 'binge series' of poems
it started with
a
simple fire,
a spark so long ago.
as
lightning streaked
across the sky,
a
branch fell
down below.
into the wondering
grasp of
man
who fanned and flamed
its glow.
they gathered ‘round
the
embers fire
knelt down to see
its light.
as
fingers reached
to
touch the pyre
a scream shattered
the night.
and
before its echo
died away
my ending was in sight...
“we have found a new beginning,
oh sweet shelter from the storm.
let the winters fall upon us,
we have trees to keep us warm.
we’ll raise canopies of cedar,
of oak and birch and ash.
we have more than what our needs are
more than anyone could ask.”
so i watched man
from
a distance,
as my brothers
lost
their lives.
we
could offer
no resistance,
none
could plead
for
compromise.
when an axe
makes a decision:
there’s
no place
for us to hide!
with the wind
i woke my children,
be strong and straight
and true.
hold fast your roots
to
mother earth,
we’ll survive
when man is through.
as
one by one
they fell away,
i began to fear the truth.
“we must clear away the forest
for our factories and farms.
remove what stands before us
there’s no need to be alarmed.
yes the trees will always be here
let the mighty redwood fall.
bring your tractors and your chainsaws
we have work for one and all.”
so the centuries
rolled
onward
and we grew to
disdain man.
as he
ravaged
all the forests,
without conscience
without plan.
i cried out
along
the treetops:
are there none
who
understand?
just then
i felt
the footsteps of
a child
not more than ten.
reaching out
to
touch my body
i could feel
this was a friend.
when
she wrapped
arms
around me
and her tears
seeped
through my skin.
“i have come to ask forgiveness
for what we have done to you.
i know that i am just a child,
please show me what to do.”
so i
shook
my
biggest branches
and
let all my seedlings fall
here is
where our chance is
yes a child will
lead them
all
from the ashes of the fires
one small heart
has
heard
my call!
sjw 1986
from the 'binge series' of poems