Trees

Standing tall in a natural dip
alongside Hadrian's Wall,
an iconic tree, a sycamore, 
(300 years old), is no more.

The tree, a beloved landmark, 
held a special place in the hearts 
of many, but it was deliberately
felled by vandals, it's believed.

The cut-down tree could regrow 
as the stump is healthy and they 
might be able to coppice the tree
where new shoots grow on the trunk

but it won't be the same again
experts say, shaking their heads
and bemoaning the unexpected
irreparable arboreal deprivation.

Ecologists keep fingers crossed
that other majestic and famous
ancient trees like the Major oak
reputed to have once sheltered
the legendary hero, Robin Hood,

and survived for many centuries,
don't suffer the same tragic end
but can still delight nature lovers
of today and the next generations.

Among the treasured old woods,
to which we all wish a long life,
stands steadfast the eponymous
gnarled pine, the Methuselah,
in a bristlecone forest in the USA.

Let us preserve our forestation
that covers 30% of our planet
so that the climate can stabilise
to prevent the world's demise.

© Luigi Pagano 2023

 
Inspiration Point: write something with three different trees in it