Once was a book, gnarl-ed and knotted, Pluck plane and plank – on flies are swatted. Once was ten-e-ment, teeming with renters, Lynchpin of crew’d cacophony centres. Mid-storey mansion, not bushy nor tall, Steely and sturdy - resistant to fall. Stronger than softwood, more spine than pine, Fell’d and swift shell’d for purpose supine. Once was iron-bark, in-tense and clever, Green-house let go, slick sap-lines let sever. Fissure and furrow shield nature’s moans, Sculpture stripped sheer to bare basic bones. Aqueous pump lifted life full stock, Growth rings stagnate and shock season’s clock. Once were partners so neat nature rhyme, Seeds then flowers then leaves in waltz time. A cog in the wheel of Gaia’s grand glory, Crucial to rule and earth connect story. Conversing in codes humans can’t hear, Sacred scents scant on channels unclear. Once was breathing and blooming alive, Rested to hold - let’s upstage and thrive! Who are the ardent arb’rers who chide, The fall, the funer’l, the maul of tree-cide? Future corrupt, insofar as it goes, Remember recumbent, heinous hewn throes. Once was colour to sight seasons sweet feel, Present past glories swapped for hue of steel. Flowers drape yellow memorial muse, On cue accusing those that only use. Catafalque fitting the soft carpet green, Entices lunchers to rue last languid scene. Once was upright, piano cheerier, Grand piano sat on inferior. Depth of sharp focus creates deep connect, Optical allusion supplants respect. Sure, there is always a park some-where, Do cherish cool, when plant yourself here. Once was a book, marking story time, System service and shade to sad crime. Michael Hewson 2018
lightly emplaced 