The grandiosity of glorified roots
is no match for the axe
and those dreadful machines
get sophisticated by the day
and more by night
all those eager to grab a piece of the sky
pull down branches that swayed between them
taste the heat and the darkness
and never know why suffering comes their way
someone opposes the construction of an underpass
derides development at the cost of greens
to stand tall with the environmentalists
get their pictures published in tabloids or screens
-then call the executioners
to murder a tree in their backyard, because they need
parking space for some more monstrosities
the same ones that need the convenience of an underpass
to ease the burgeoning traffic jams
Radio jockeys invite commoners
to jabber about the traffic jams
give them three minutes of fame
and quietly earn a living out of the time
people spend in those monstrous machines
clogging the arteries of a city
The fallen branches ask the roots
to start counting hours
till the earth splits
to reveal limitations
of human intelligence
Mini prompt provided by Bjorn Brudberg
Why do trees conceal
the splendor of their roots?-Pablo Neruda, Book of questions.

I think perhaps ‘human inteligence’ is the biggest oxymoron of them all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reena, why are there no protections for the lives of trees? Why are there no limits to the numbers of gas and electricity guzzling monsters? I love your last stanza. I feel all of nature is holding its breath until we’re gone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We did feel nature coming alive during Covid19. No traffic, no humans was a boon for it. We are the deadly virus for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved that second stanza Reena. Especially the line
‘and never know why suffering comes their way’. Some people are just so selfish and only think of themselves and what they want.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t even try talking to or convincing such people. They will never see anything from the other person’s perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, just plain selfish. It was a great poem Reena
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again, Christine!
LikeLike
Well said, Reena.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLike
Spot on, Reena. Mankind can’t control the earth. It will however control the world, for ‘world’ is a human construct. Common sense is a lost art, along with respect and responsibility.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Earth, Water and Sky get back to us in the form of tsunamis, earthquakes and the liked.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Alas… we are so bent on destroying the beauty inducing self-harm in the process. May the roots of the trees take revenge sending out saplings through concrete
LikeLiked by 2 people
I guess it may happen.
LikeLike
It’s a pity we don’t use our intelligence for better things.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We created AI because we are lazy. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very deep and profound Reena! I love it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Carol!
LikeLike