Poor Old Tree

When you planted me so long ago at the side of the track
Did you know I would outlive you?
Did you countenance the life that I would give
Not just to self replicate but in harbouring others?
From insects small to tawny owl nesting in my hollow.
Did you contemplate the years of shade
That I would afford travellers down this lane
From farm boy labourers to coaches drawn
And then to cranking cars and back to men?
Did you know that centuries later your ancestors
Would stand beneath me and wonder at my age
Drinking in the air that I expire and admire me
Almost as a generous god?
For the peace and the calm and the life I can give.

You would be sad to see how the world
Is treated with disdain
Your progeny, no longer guardians
But ravagers of nature
Greedy for expansion.
I weep and yearly drop my limbs,
Shrinking from the world at large
Drawing in on myself: to nothing.

Then drunk in their own excesses
They will choke on their own vomit
And there will be nothing you nor I can do.

Poem and photo copyright Englepip©

The Wolf Pack

AS dark night closes upon the day
And the wolves of the forest stir
Sniffing the air and snuffling each other
They stretch their legs
Nuzzle sister and brother.
And as they move from tree to tree
They scent their path
On the ice pine sap
Then turn to the pack
With the faintest yap
And leap ahead through the forest gaps.
For a light beyond the pines is their guide
The moon, where it hangs like a queenly orb
Shines bright on a sparkling world almost blue
A light irresistible, bold and true,
Which calls all the spirits of the night.
And the wolves halloo its naked light
As the huntress moon reveals herself
And lightens the darkness
And grips the hearts
Of those who seek their kill.
Take pity on their prey tonight
Be fearful for the timid
For the moon has aroused their hunger; how
Saliva has flowed in their gullets
Their lolling tongues and killing fangs
Will taste of blood and flesh and gore
Before this moonlight night is o’er.
For the call of the wild cannot be resisted
No wolf would be sane if he desisted
It’s nature’s way to clean up the forest
To rid the place of the old and infirm
Keep all the herds pristine and well
Yes the wolf brings release
When it howls their death knell.
But be assured it’s all for the best
That the presence of wolves rejuvenates all
From the vegetation to the waterfall
Having top predators can save the day
And the year and the century from decay
Ecosystems will be renewed
And our earth could be saved by letting them kill.
So when the wolf bays at the moon in the night
Feel safe not fearful; she’s saving our plight.

Poem and painting copyright Englepip©

Wolves are fascinating creatures. They are top predators in many parts of the world and there are children’s stories designed to make us fearful of them – eg – Little Rad Riding Hood. However, I wonder have you read about the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone Park. here. It is incredible the difference that is being made.