One Natural Piece by Deanna Rusek

Ode to the Forest

Needles lie
abundantly sprayed
among broken branches,
creating
incidental homes
for the creatures
who
rely on nature to build;
holes in fallen trunks
become
sanctuaries to some,
rightful inhabitants
made vagabonds through
man’s desires;
brown, red, gold and wet decay
blanket the ever-damp
floor—not seen naked
in years—holding
moisture which rises
on hot, sultry days
creating life; it gives
and gives, never takes,
only humans take.
Bigger still—the
creatures that are
hunted, who live among
the small and trivial
others that crawl
and bury themselves
inside, within and throughout.
Promote and preserve,
this life bearing,
life breathing,
ever-giving but
not ever-living thing
lest the Ever-green king
be overthrown.
Who will share
in the blame
when this
ephemeral gift,
misused, ceases
to exist?

{Poem by Deanna Rusek}