Art from NC County Fair - Asheville
Introduction of wolves
into a valley
changes
the elk and deer population,
which changes the topography
of the land.
Wolves eat elk:
population decreases,
vegetation increases.
In time,
the course of the river
is changed.
Bird life and Wildlife
returns
to the hidden valley.
Each is part of the whole,
necessary, essential.
The part that is not fitting well,
right now,
is humankind.
But we can learn.
for Artistic Interpretations with Margaret at Real Toads: to choose one of the paintings and write a poem. My title and the idea of the poem came from the captivating video How Wolves Change Rivers, about the trophic cascade occurring after the introduction of wolves to Yellowstone.
I am excited these days about the global movement Tree Sisters, who plan to plant a billion trees worldwide this year. I might start a band of Tree Sisters in Tofino. Too many trees have come down here to make way for hotels for rich tourists. (No affordable housing for locals, as a result.) And the rainforest is in dire need of rain - we have had months of sun, thanks to climate change, and the trees are thirsty. We had better learn fast.
Excellent reminder on the delicate ecosystem. I do so hope humans will learn- before it's too late.
ReplyDeleteYes - the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone... I watched a fascinating documentary - and we changed the landscape upon our first arrival on the shores of this country - we chop down trees along the rivers (south east coast) and the delicate balance changes the important ecosystem as the roots of the trees are gone... and well - it never can be recovered. Fascinating and your poem really is spot on with the image. Great job.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Sherry:
ReplyDeleteThe part that is not fitting well,
right now,
is humankind.
But we can learn.
Nature takes its course. But nature has to be helped along the way!
ReplyDeleteHank
Nature knows what to do to keep herself balanced. If only we could be so wise...
ReplyDeletei like the hopeful turn at the end
ReplyDeletebut i am deeply skeptical
namaste
JzB
We need hope... Humans are such a destructive beasts
ReplyDeleteI remember that video. In the Anthropocene, all nature follows the fool's suit. I'm waiting for the day the Earth as ghost in the machine kicks us out by the seat of our pants.
ReplyDeleteWe are not really part of the earth I feel sometimes... and probably mother earth will shrug us off, like a dog get rid of fleas.
ReplyDelete