A GOOD TRADE?
I overheard him say,
“I am an old man
but still I know a
few things.
The woods provide
everything we need.
Wood for fire
for warmth and
cooking
tree covering for
shelter
for privacy
for protection from
storms
shade from the
blazing sun
animals to hunt
roots to forage
weeds to eat
mushrooms for
medicine
tree bark for baskets
moss for insulation
resin for glues
roots for twine
birds for their down
feathers
bees for their honey.
“And we destroy this
for?
Civilization
for warmth and
cooking
for shelter and shade
protection for man from man
for pets and
houseplants
for formal gardens
and back-breaking
agriculture
and animal feedlots
for doctors
and shopping malls
for soft pillows
and plastics
and corn syrup
and stale air.
“I am an old man
but I know a good
trade
when I see one
and a bad trade as
well.
I still know a few
things.
I am not fooled.”
