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WindWalker
Senior Member

since 2001-10-12

Posts 1218

0 posted 2006-03-24 07:43 PM

Thumbs in suspenders; smug, wood-hard face,
the old logger stands, and near the end of his time
surveys a clearing of bleeding stumps: his handiwork.
On surrounding hills, torn patches of earth's sagging face
leave him unmoved, his attitude unchanged.

With the cold eye of the predator, he calculates the worth
of one remaining tree at the far edge of the clearing--
a fleeting life, struggling alone, needles falling silently
as tears from an orphan in the path of someone else's war...

He hefts the chainsaw to take this last life,
but as suddenly, falls dead in his own killing fields,
his heart giving out, tired of the noise, the killing:
another wasted life in a wasteland of its own making.

Among the wreckage, in an evening’s freshening breeze,
the logger's son falls to his knees, weeps silently,
his tears, long held back, fall freely on this broken land:
are they for the father lying dead at the morgue--
or for himself, now able to see the works of greed?

In fading shadows, his haunted space comes alive:
he hears his mother’s voice and unheeded advice:
"Never take any life for foolish pleasure or greed, son.
Take but what you need with constant gratitude
for such is understood and permitted.
and in fair exchange
give of yourself also."

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

1 posted 2006-03-24 08:45 PM

Very moving rendering tonight.
Superb WW.
TD

Goldenrose
Member Elite

since 2003-05-30

Posts 3665

2 posted 2006-03-24 08:51 PM

Such truth here, but this is the way of the world, this is the evil of money, a fine write on the folly of environmental catastrophe..thank you..

Goldenrose.

emeralddreamer
Junior Member

since 2006-03-24

Posts 27
PA, United States

3 posted 2006-03-24 10:50 PM

quote:
a fleeting life, struggling alone, needles falling silently
as tears from an orphan in the path of someone else's war...

The above lines are so profound...
Outstanding imagery!

quote:

"Never take any life for foolish pleasure or greed, son.
Take but what you need with constant gratitude
for such is understood and permitted.
and in fair exchange
give of yourself also."

Such wise and heart rendering words.

I enjoyed the entire piece,
but I am especially fond of the 2 quotes above.

Nice work!

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