They stand watch
Over everything precious
That thrived in moist shadows
And passed beneath them
Coastal Redwoods:
Towering, supremely thick,
Rust-coloured specimens
Of wood with
Twelve-inch bark,
Giant elders,
Guardians of groves
At first glance, intimidating-looking
Yet inviting,
Maintained a steady vigil
One thousand years or less
Some humans rightfully saw
Fit to preserve these
Ancient watchers of life
When they wandered through
One of the groves,
William and Elizabeth Kent
Witnessed still, unspoiled
Botanical beauty, vowed its
Protection from the logger
Saw’s ripping touch and
Gave it John Muir’s name
Verdant patches of three-leaf clovers,
Sprawling coils of fern,
Tall, slender Douglas firs
Trying hard to imitate
Their mightier redwood cousins,
Hungry squirrels scamper the dirt
Floor on a foraging trip, a craving for acorns,
Fallen or on a branch, needs sating,
Lean little trickle of water running
Down an extensive ditch towards Mount Tamalpais way,
Sorry masquerade as a full, rushing creek,
The steady march of hikers
Boots and sneakers treading new
Grooves into over worn trails
Are offered protection & shade
By the guardians
In return.
_________
W: 11.4.14
[From the book “Elohi Unitsi: Poems [2013 – 2018]”,
Conviction 2 Change Publishing, 2020.]