The Forest Guardian

 

The Forest Guardian

Deep within the forest, where consciousness plays

a gathering of trees plans the coming days

for the balance was broken where forests recede

and the felling of Entwood required their need.

For thousands of years these old sages convened

connected by roots in the ground where they leaned

from the dawning of time and essence of mind

they made their decisions protecting their kind.

Outside the forest where the problems arise

in parliament buildings, all deaf to their cries

expansion was given for sustainable goals

to cut down the forest and broaden controls.

Their bowls overflowed by agreements of greed

an unstoppable force like a poisonous weed

but outside the buildings where these sinners played

stood voices of reason verses heads of trade.

Community of life, content what they had

rallied for nature, against powers gone mad

they surrounded buildings where decisions were made

refused to budge till their protests were weighed.

With stocks riding high, and fingers in their ears

they scoffed at the people they refused to hear

police were called in to strengthen their plan

and kill the protests while their projects began.

The protests moved to the edge of the forest

where people joined hands, shouting, “do not ignore us”

their feet dug in to the ground where they stood

a protective ring around the ancient wood.

Just then like magic a miracle came true

the forest expanded where the people grew

their legs intertwined while their roots built a wall

the Entwood sages had answered the call.

The merger that happened stopped the governing clan

with an ancient bond between the trees and man

the fate of the planet, were both intertwined

for consciousness connects us both through the mind.

We are all related and bonded at birth

no one should be judged on what they are worth

a contract by God made us brothers with trees

left proof on our bodies so everyone sees.

More than a story, a truth to believe

the holders of life and the air that we breathe

all life depends on the bonds that we bear

to remember the markings that both of us share.

On Earth we are given the essence of seeing

our connection to trees, its air and well being

for lungs are the branches, our hand prints the leaves

fingerprints and rings are lifetimes we weave,

the two are alike, both human and tree,

while under the sky, is our quest to be free.

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About this Poem: Entwood is a derivative of JRR Tolkien’s “Ent” character who were tree herders. The word “Entwood” is used in this poem to express a living breathing consciousness that is part human and part tree.