Little Birch and the Last Winter’s Morn [APWC]

Little Birch and the Last Winter’s Morn


On a cold and frosty morning as the winter sun was dawning
A loud clamour was heard a calling through the icy biting air;
Asked a slender young birch sapling to a squirrel whose paws were grappling
Up her trunk “What’s that sound?” “It’s the humans, they just don’t care…”


“About the sanctity of morning, I’m afraid it is a warning!”
And his little tail flicked to and fro as his eyes began to flare.
“It sounds like they are coming…” as they both then heard a humming,
“Oh squirrel, what to do?” “Be as humans - they don’t care!”


“I must depart my dearest birch” said squirrel from his perch
And so forth his body lurched as he ran to find his lair.
Still the humming became stronger as the morn grew ever longer,
“Oh to walk just like the humans do, without a single care…”


The young birch surely mused, as the atmosphere infused
Within her supple boughs a fear and she whispered up a prayer.
But no answer was received for the sound was not relieved
And nor did she believe in human kindness without care.


She’d heard many harrowing stories about their endless quest for glory
From the creatures of a forest which mankind had just laid bare.
Devastation never seen wrought with wicked iron machines
As the humans did careen through the land without a single care.


And once a hawk alighted on her branches quite delighted
With rabbit plump held in his claws and shifting sideways glare.
“Tis easy” so he sneered “to hunt where the land is cleared”
And he smiled slyly like the humans do “I do not think they care.”


Radiant she glistened with dew the sunlight christened
So intently did she listen the forest’s stubborn little heir.
But the sound it was now groaning and breaking up the loaming
Came humans with tools droning as if not a soul would care.


But the birch did stand her ground with annihilation all around,
A man looked at her and frowned with a dark and heartless stare.
The other though was younger, his demeanour lacked the hunger;
His gaze softened as he looked at her. Perhaps this human cared?


“Dad just this one to go, do you think we should forego,
Maybe leave her just to grow...?” the younger one did share.
But the older man’s face hardened as he quipped “I beg your pardon!
Forget your hippy dreams my son; it’s a tree, who bloody cares?!"

reply to post by 1littlewolf


Did this happen in Tasmania ?

For some reason this story reminds me of a video I saw a few years back where some young environmentalists were trying to stand up to the loggers and their machines. It was extremely sad to watch as the loggers muscled their way across the picket line using brute force (violence) and intimidation. The protesters were like the trees that were about to be cut down. What's that saying about somebody inheriting the earth ?

Thanks mate - well conceived and delivered.

Peace, Love & Light

* Ned

reply to post by 1littlewolf


This one is touching on many different levels. SnF.

Well scripted and flowing as well.

S&F

Very well done. Perhaps a bit inspired by Shakespeare? One of my favourites so far.

Nice poem littlewolf.
Indeed, "who cares?"
Our entire future depends upon that one simple question.

Originally posted by nimbinned
reply to post by 1littlewolf

 

Did this happen in Tasmania ?

For some reason this story reminds me of a video I saw a few years back where some young environmentalists were trying to stand up to the loggers and their machines. It was extremely sad to watch as the loggers muscled their way across the picket line using brute force (violence) and intimidation. The protesters were like the trees that were about to be cut down. What's that saying about somebody inheriting the earth ?

Thanks mate - well conceived and delivered.

Peace, Love & Light

* Ned

Hey my friend,

No it’s not really based on any particular events… Or maybe it’s based on all of them….? But I did choose to base it in a place where squirrels and birch trees grow (i.e not Australia) mainly as it kinda fits with the style of poetry a little better and cos I’m guessing most ATS readers are from places where these things actually grow wild. Plus it’s a lot easier to find a few words to rhyme with ‘birch’ than it is to find something that rhymes with ‘eucalyptus’.

Originally posted by Druid42

This one is touching on many different levels. SnF.

Well scripted and flowing as well.

Cheers Druid. The more poems I write the easier it seems to get. I’m glad you liked it.

Originally posted by coven83
S&F

Very well done. Perhaps a bit inspired by Shakespeare? One of my favourites so far.

Thanks so much Coven.

The structure of the poem was loosely based on Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Raven’, but the inspiration came from this months comp and masqua’s beautiful story.

Originally posted by Asktheanimals
Nice poem littlewolf.
Indeed, "who cares?"
Our entire future depends upon that one simple question.

It always only starts with a few... Its only been just a few decades since humans have even realised their actions can affect things on a global scale. I still have hope that what we're going through now is simply 'lag time'...

Thanks Asktheanimals

(The worst thing though is I bought a new chainsaw last week. Showed my wife this poem and she wouldn't stop laughing... But it is to clear a large amount of invasive Chinese Elms off our property so the natives below can prosper.)

reply to post by 1littlewolf


Chainsaws can work for the good if you know what you're doing. Invasive species crowd out natives and offer little or nothing to the local animals as they aren't adapted to using them. People also criticize forest and brush fires even though it's a part of the natural cycle and certain species can't reproduce with them.
Glad to hear you have a piece of property. I'm sure it's a haven for critters of all kinds. I can't wait to see some more pictures you've taken. That last bunch were great!

Originally posted by Asktheanimals

Chainsaws can work for the good if you know what you're doing. Invasive species crowd out natives and offer little or nothing to the local animals as they aren't adapted to using them. People also criticize forest and brush fires even though it's a part of the natural cycle and certain species can't reproduce with them.

Just as long as you don't get too carried away.....

Glad to hear you have a piece of property. I'm sure it's a haven for critters of all kinds. I can't wait to see some more pictures you've taken. That last bunch were great!

*sigh*

Unfortunately for both of us you may be waiting a while. Career changes give me the little opportunity to get out amongst the wild and the multitude of young babies which are now infesting my household now take up a significant portion of my time as well (but its a good thing)...

But someday soon I'll start up again...