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 ecosystems without compunction,
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
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;
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
will save you
in return.
inspired by the poem "The Trees Have No Tongues", penned by Vancouver Poet Laureate
The closing line in her poem is "Let each poem be a falling tree's tongue," which I think is just brilliant.
Really powerful writing, Sherry. You really gave voice to the trees. Chilling words!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful Sherry. You truly gave voice to the trees. And we cringe at the behavior of some of our fellow human beings. Sigh.
ReplyDelete" . . . as if they are pulling
ReplyDeletethe wisdom teeth of the planet
without novocaine . . . " This poem speaks for the falling trees most eloquently, in the tongues of those who survive. It's plea is clear. I hear the tears in each line.
What a great prompt and an equally great poem, Sherry! I love the title and the first person tree persona. I remember writing a poem for a similar prompt quite a while ago – I love writing about trees. It’s true that only the sensitive among us know the tender hearts of trees. Your poem would move even the hardest human heart, it’s so moving.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad poem! I remember when they were going to widen the highway near my home, saws came, the trucks came, and took the trees, stacked like bodies in the trucks. It was a sad sight....took the trees that shade, that give comfort by just standing. All the insects knew, the birds knew, unfortunately not everyone knew. A wonderful prompt. So when all the trees are removed, what then?
ReplyDeleteSorry about that, I don't want to be anonymous....annell
ReplyDeleteSherry,
ReplyDeleteI feel the emotion attached to your poem, so much as I read it...It is a very sad subject, especially as there seems to be such a ruthless attitude to the felling and removal of trees, for large scale projects. It is like taking away a member of one's family, in effect.
Deforestation for financial gain, is such a willful and destructive act.
I personally see nothing but beauty in the presence of trees :)
Beautiful and true.
ReplyDeleteThis is Susie Clevenger. It is so heartbreaking what we humans are doing to tree, the forests. You have so poignantly and painfully spoken in the voice of trees. Beautiful writing
ReplyDelete