The Division
To the elderly man
the trees nurture his family
hidden beneath its outcast limbs
rodents, great bears, dragons
some real, some only glimpsed
aglow from the radiant hunters moon
To the elderly man
the lakes provide passage
smooth wooden surface
glides gently through the cool waters
movement unrestricted
silent, undisturbed
To the elderly man
the air invigorates the soul
scents of sweet berries
fall apple harvest, spring wildflowers
traveling on the wind
clean crisp and familiar
To the young man
the trees hinder progress
uprooted and replaced
by a forest of concrete and steel
shipped to the factory by the river
transformed into pages of profit
To the young man
the lakes house unwanted waste
acid rain, metal canisters, gray sewage
choking gasping fish and loon
lie among the tangled weeds on the shore
To the young man
the air is abundant, invincible
absorbing the soot of the population
dispersing concussions
and the scream of airborne invaders
as the great wall slowly cracks and crumbles
Divided in purpose and philosophy
united in conviction, fervor
the earth kneels beneath the guillotine
while the jury deliberates endlessly
Copyright ©1993 by Darin D. LaGarry