i will speak for trees

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 1989