While basking under sunlit skies, bright, smattered spots of blue
—Amidst the verdant canopies of vibrant, emerald green—
All sway and dance before my eyes, competitors in hue
As if the fervent, flowing breeze inspires brighter sheen.
And further still, as wind and warmth collide in harmony I find
A rhythm in the birdsong, in the rustling of the leaves,
While shifting songs of sun and shade reply, their melody inclined
To lead in lilting life a soul in dissonance to peace.
Yet even as my eyes fall shut, such artistry shall vanish,
A roar, a cut, a crash, a blinding light shall beauty banish,
The canvas torn and symphony cut short.
This poetry centers on the issue of deforestation, and the damage it can cause to natural habitats. In the work, I endeavor to describe the peace, beauty, and tranquility than can be experienced in nature, only to be pulled out by the jarring reality of this world being destroyed through deforestation, in particular the logging industry. According to worldwildlife.org, illegal logging practices comprise somewhere between 8-10% of production, and even make up between 40-50% of logging in some of the most valued and significant forests around the globe. While there are many timber methods that are sustainable, this is not the entirety of the industry—many of these harmful practices encroach on natural territory further and further still, lessening resources and asking too much too quickly of the earth. While such statistics cannot fit into this poetry with the same sort of flow, it endeavors to impress upon readers the impact that these practices have on a more personal level. I make no argument that the wood industry needs to be halted in its entirety, however I do believe that more work needs to be done to prevent illegal practices that destroy natural forests containing wonders and beauty as I have endeavored to describe.