Voice of the Oaks

An echo among

The standing oak

Of a time long ago

When crowns were gold

And voices were pure,

When rain washed

The decay of another day

From the unpolluted soil

And greens grew strong

Claiming territory

With vines and petals,

A beautiful sight

Before encroaching pavement,

The hacking of tree

The pivoting of ledge,

The alienation of nature,

The removal of the Mother

From the world created,

The ostracization of the people

Searching for truth in the bark

Of still standing trees,

Whispering,

Tell me your story

I’ll listen

With idea of saving alone,

The forest that dwindles-

Removing trunks and roots

Replacing with twisting metal

Yelling for the sun,

Chasing rays,

While earth crumbles

For another penny.

Katrina Thornley is a nature poet and novelist that resides in Rhode Island. She has two poetry collections currently published, a novel, as well as a short story anthology. Her poetry collections "Arcadians: Lullaby in Nature" and "Arcadians: Wooden Mystics" were inspired by a local park and life in her small rural town. You can find them on Amazon now!