Canopy Grief

These days, we all walk the red dirt road
over the remains of our nation’s ancient trees.
Their branches hanging upside down
like collapsed bronchi.
A patchwork of sky made from their felling.
The shade of their height and girth,
the deepest loss to planet earth.

_{“I feel as useless as a tree in a city park standing as a symbol of what we have blown apart.”}

For Allen Ginsberg

Among other things,
thanks for explaining
how the generous death
of old trees
forms
the red powdered floor
of the forest.

-Dorothea Grossman

12 responses to “Canopy Grief”

johnlmalone

a timely lament: so many species of flora and fauna are being lost; hopefully we can stem the tide —

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you for this beautiful comment, John. I think that’s why they say living through something like a pandemic because you actually have to be surrounded by it to understand.
  
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Jeff Flesch

This is beautiful, K.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you kindly, Jeff. I will miss more than the leaves this winter.
  
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  1. Jeff Flesch
    
    You’re most welcome, K. Understood. Seems like missing things has become the norm in the past 22 months. Is interesting to reflect upon….have a lovely rest of your week, K.
    
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abigfatcanofworms

This is so beautiful and so sad. An amazing, concise … lament. I think John has chosen the perfect word.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Worms. Loss leaves us with empty patches that much is certain.
  
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Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES

Beautiful tribute. I felt every word and saw the collapsed bronchi.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Colleen. Your kind words are much appreciated.
  
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writingwhatnots

‘Their branches hanging upside down
like collapsed bronchi’ – Powerful image for the plight of the lungs of the planet. Beautifully written.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you so much.Yes, I thought of that and our recent pandemic when watching the barren trees.
  
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thegriefreality

🤍🤍🤍🤍

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