here, the sky is my ceiling-
mountains feed me
while the rain quenches my thirst-
the medicine man knows the
healing powers of each leaf
& roots in this forest-
which is always birthing,
crackling, rustling of wet wings,
hiss, scuttle and rush of feet across the floor-
here, i soak the spirit of the old trees
with wide bellies and broad limbs,
inhale the fresh air, heal the weary eyes....
do you hear that ?
the grinding teeth-
pulling roots, breaking limbs, ripping of lungs-
until there is only the deadly
silence -
Posted for Imaginary Garden with Real Toads - Transforming Friday
and Poetry Jam - Soak
More information on the disappearing rain forest: here
Very well explained the pain of a jungle and the benefits it offers to us.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteGreat poem!
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
And such an awful silence once the machines have gone.
ReplyDeleteWhen it is silent one must be aware that is when things go bump in the night and you could get eaten at your lair.
ReplyDeleteDo you hear that? Sends chills down my back to think we humans are destroying these places!
ReplyDeleteOh, that damned silence, when the workers go on lunch break, or the final silence, when they've consumed it all.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I'm a pacifist, sometimes I feel like aiming those little poison toads at the Big Toads That Be!
An excellent poem, speaking from the POV of the cutest little bundle of death I've ever seen. Amy
Wonderful that you've show the narrator toad related to both medicine man and trees, birthing and spirit, in stanzas seductively simple. I don't notice the approach of biting and breaking until it's too late. And those who rush machines, do not see or listen to anything before destroying it. Powerful writing.
ReplyDeleteYou use such wonderful "sound" words of the jungle...sounds that should still be there. Stark ending which is what many of us see now but can do nothing to stop it.
ReplyDeleteHeartbreakingly beautiful, Grace. What a beautiful picture too! Have a beautiful weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I hear. This is incredible poetry!!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Grace, the incredible contrast in the noises before and after Progress rears its ugly head. Scientists know what this is doing to the planet, but Big Business pays no attention. It is madness.
ReplyDeleteK
...I soak the spirit of the old trees... this one line ought to make each reader stand up and take notice of the wonder of the rain forests and the potential loss.
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ReplyDelete"here, i soak the spirit of the old trees
with wide bellies and broad limbs,
inhale the fresh air, heal the weary eyes...."
Yes! And I'm with Margaret...on the "Do you hear that line,,," "the ripping of lungs..." scary and so sad.
Thank you so much for writing, Grace!
SOAKING the spirit of the old trees. I am sure they have much to share. And may it live on. This is so beautifully expressed, Grace!
ReplyDeleteI love this Grace!!
ReplyDeletehave a good weekend!
This is lovely. You go from the sights and sounds of the forest to man's chewing life from it. May we stop killing what we can never replace.
ReplyDeleteYou've captured the feeling well of the shrinking rainforest.
ReplyDeletethe deadly silence...smiles...silence is not so bad...but when you are deep in country and the world goes silent it often means danger is lurking...love hte connection to nature in this...the medicine man is rather fascinating to me....i have known a few that could tell the medicinal properties of leaves...i have def connected with the spirit of the woods as well...
ReplyDeletesorry i am late...for some reason i did not see this one til this morning...
I have always been fascinated by the jungle. I hope we can save the jungles of the world...they are more important than we'll ever know.
ReplyDeleteSo poignent. "Do you hear that?"...takes me right there/makes me wake up right now.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Grace.
I love the idea of soaking in the spirit of the old trees in the rain forest. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou made me feel and hear the rainforest through your words. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnother powerful poem. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic and I agree with Sherry your words created a magnificent sensory experience
ReplyDeletegreat write....really felt with each line....
ReplyDeleteAnd another rainforest bites the dust...
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ReplyDeletepoignant and somber. Love the write. Respect the message. Thank you.
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