Did you know
we tremble as the saws come near?
See our branches quiver at the sound
of the big trucks rolling in.
Only the sensitive among you
know our tender hearts. Only
the animals and birds hear
our silent screams.
We shiver as that cold energy
approaches, numb souls,
killing everything without compunction,
disassociating themselves
from what they do for money.
disassociating themselves
from what they do for money.
Holding hands beneath the forest floor,
we send each other messages of farewell,
weeping sap-coloured tears
as the grappleyarders yank our sisters
out of the earth, as if they are pulling
the wisdom teeth of the planet
without novocaine.
As we who are left sway
in the sudden exposure
in the sudden exposure
at the edge of a clearcut,
can you hear
our sighs, our keening sorrow,
watching hungry bears and wolves
cross the ravaged land in search
of a new place to hide
from the Two-Leggeds;
from the Two-Leggeds;
yet they are everywhere.
We wish we could pick up our skirts
like the wild ones
and tiptoe softly away.
Did you know
that as soon as you enter the forest,
we know you are here?
We turn our ears and our welcoming branches
to those of peaceful energy. We know
who comes in fellowship, in sisterhood.
We love those of you with gentle hearts
who walk softly and reverently here.
We feel your awe, gazing up at our tall spires.
Sometimes you place your hands on our trunks;
do you feel us tremble in response?
Please tell the others
what all the wild world knows:
we cool and protect you from the blazing sun.
Please protect us.
Let your poems be
the tongues of falling trees*.
Speak for us;
please help us live,
for what you save
Let your poems be
the tongues of falling trees*.
Speak for us;
please help us live,
for what you save
will save you
in return.
in return.
For my challenge at earthweal: Poems ~ The Tongues of Falling Trees, inspired by the poem "The Trees Have No Tongues" by Fiona Tinwei Lam, Vancouver's poet laureate. *The italicized lines were inspired by the closing lines in her poem: "Let each poem be a fallen tree's tongue", which I think is just brilliant.
What we save, saves us in return- such a simple truth. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sherry. May the world listen, and act. (Kerfe)
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad and beautiful poem Sherry. I feel it in my solar plexus when a tree is cut down near me. I can only imagine how the trees feel. There is such a disturbed feeling in the environment when tree felling is taking place. Your poem describes it well. Suzanne - Mapping Uncertainty
ReplyDeleteYour poem sure belongs in the collection, is its wounded tree-heart. The grief sure is real and incriminates all of those who will never read our poems. O that we had feet too.
ReplyDelete(from Brendan)
DeleteDear Sherry,
ReplyDeleteSuch vivid and memorable imagery cuts deep, even as each fallen tree scars our earth almost beyond reclamation.
Human beings are incapable of compassion for their fellows. I have no hope of them showing compassion for trees. It's desperate.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely feel the plight of the trees. I do believe the trees tremble and fear the saw. The trees protect us and give us life but, who will protect the trees?
ReplyDeleteSo much sadness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thought provoking prompt.
Thank you for speaking for the trees, Sherry. 'The wisdom teeth of the planet' is right. I am sure they hear you. I am not sure we hear them, though now is the time to listen!
ReplyDeleteTouching words
ReplyDelete