logging evidence of us

Very powerful Di

one small thing:

is snarled, scarred from tires' gnarl between trees, roots - tyres?

Is the pic one of yours?

Deisel tang - a typo?

Regards, Luigi x

Hi, Di. I take it this is of somewhere near you? My first thought was what a lovely place to be able to visit. So well described.Then, yes, so sad to see it snarled up, – but those scraped roots and broken grasses will recover and quickly. Not so the lost trees, but some woods' management and logging is needed, not just for pheasants' breeding (Is that why it was done?). We don't want so much plastic used, how much can we use wood instead for toys etc? Some people need wood fires, and for building. Anyway clearly we do need plenty of trees freshening the air as you say. I think sometimes, openings in woodlands are thought environmentally useful for diversity of habitats, especially if they have become enroached by new growth recently?

Breeding of pheasants is a difficult one as so mixed with enjoyment of honing shooting skills (better than in war!) and at least they are eaten not wasted — in some cases we would need to hunt our own food!

Not contradicting what you are saying, just wanting to open up some aspects of the scenario of responsible care! Rhiannon

"...what do the roots say? In darkness

stumped for why we kill that which gives us life."

A poem full of imagery and powerful messaging. Life is full of contradictions - especially at the moment..

regardless of the reason, good or bad. I've had to cut a few trees down and also dispatch rabbits terribly sick with mixamatosis, the fact its the best solution doesn't help. This poem seems to me to illustrate that unease we feel.

Feeding pheasants is a means to an end, far off the reason for farming livestock. For example did you know foresters remove all traces of the beautiful golden pheasants on shooting land because they fly lower than common pheasants not because it makes them hard to shoot, but because the other pheasants will quickly learn the trick thus ruining highly lucrative shooting parties.

Niether pheasant breeds are indigenous to the British Isles anyway. 

If we wanted to have common pheasant as a food scource it would be more sensible (and moral IMO) to farm them free range like chickens and guinea fowl. (oops sorry Rhia)

Terrif poem Di! (cue gold?)

I can't help but feel sickened at the destruction of so many trees. My stomach turns over at how some humans have such a disregard for the feelings of nature. Reminds me of the brutality inflicted on the rain forest.

You've made a very strong point in your poem Di.

Jenny. 

why kill what gives us life? profit. 

It has to be written and you have done a great job, Di

"Why we kill that which gives us life" poignant words Di-hard, very poignant and sorrowful in its truth. There are those of us who see the rampant disregard for nature and wildlife and want to stop it; those who know its necessary place in our world, know it should be protected, but alas, there are others who do not understand and will destroy healthy trees and kill birds for sport and not needed food. Beautiful poem and well deserving cherries.

Hunting ain't a sport.  A sport means both sides know the game.  Landlord wanted to cut some branches off the live oak on my front yard in preparation for hurricane season.  Told him I would not allow certain branches because squirrels use them for nests.  

TJ

Hello yourself.

Dunno why trees are slaughtered.  Don't people like to breathe?  I comment cause I enjoy your writing.  Sometimes I wish you wouldn't be so hard, Di_Hard; relax and soften.  Even Nature isn't aggressive all the time.

The contrast of the beautiful with the destructive in this is so well done. A very powerful poem. It's our Pick of the Day. Do share on Facebook and Twitter.