A Lesson in the Ashes

     Slowly, but surely, we are learning to save and protect the earth and it’s resources. While I am not your basic tree hugger, I do believe we must replace that which we take. Once mighty rain forests are now gone, mostly because of man’s greed. The natives used the forests for everything, yet took nothing permanent away. Food, clothing, medicine, shelter, all provided by the earth. But, as the forests go, so do the people. They, who were once truly free, are now forced to assimilate into a society that brought about the demise of their culture. The animals of the rain forest? Some gone forever, extinct now because of someone’s need for more money.

     Let us pray that we have learned the lesson of replenishment.

 

A Lesson in the Ashes

Ashes in the fireplace lay,

remnants of another day,

gone forever, gone away,

and only now, in memory stay.

 

The ashes now, once wood, you see,

provided by the mighty tree,

cut and split, and dried, to be,

a season’s warmth, for you and me.

 

Yes, we’ve cut, but we have learned,

to replace that, which will be burned,

and reckless, wasteful ways, have spurned,

but, many more corners need be turned.

 

Oh yes, our water and our air,

need be treated with more care,

so generations all, will share,

we have not drop, or breath to spare.

 

And species other than our own,

have the right, this world to roam,

we cannot, must not, go alone,

into the future, save our home.

 

Fauna and flora can survive,

without mankind and stay alive,

because, they have no controlling drive,

and from the earth, their life derive.

 

When we as humans, learn from them,

we will assure, the continuum,

on this planet, of women and men,

and along with nature, all be friends.

 

 Jack Downing

Apr. 2010