Clayoquot

O
the tall!
stately majestically
waving cone-filled
branches dark-green
old growth Douglas fir:
sways its rugged head
in the rain-soaked breeze
the salty ocean breeze
the breath of a thousand years
ages when the land spoke of life, simple,
when the salmon ran heedless, free
up fast flowing rivers of crystal rains
translucent greens reflected
a million times upon wrinkled mirrors
that sang past sands
where beaver tails left trails
where tiny twin-hoofed prints laughed
into the new day:
before the campfires
and children's laughter
stood the tree
tall and proud
sure time-less
home for bird
and beast
above its head:
the home of
the gods
the chainsaw
came one day
leaving only
a bleeding stump
a homeless eagle
five dead squirrels
and the ageless tree crashed!
to its side across the mountain side, dying:
the river, the reflections, the breath of God,
footprints in the sand; the fish;
the old ways which intermingled in the forest:
all died that day

this write speaks with the 'voice' of Gaia ...

I as especially fond of:

old growth Douglas fir:
sways its rugged head
in the rain-soaked breeze
the salty ocean breeze
the breath of a thousand years
ages when the land spoke of life, simple,
when the salmon ran heedless, free
up fast flowing rivers of crystal rains
translucent greens reflected
a million times upon wrinkled mirrors
that sang past sands
where beaver tails left trails
where tiny twin-hoofed prints laughed
into the new day"

MUCH (sustained) applause for this fine stewardship of Nature 'penning' !