Annihilation Next Door

I heard the sounds of sorrow before I saw the trees piled horizontally near the road as I jogged by. The sight and sound stopped me: horizontal is not a position for trees. I felt deep grief for them, and not a little disgust at the man who was clearing the land for yet another RV campground. He owns property all over the area, from which he has removed any sign of nature that stood in his way of development. There had been no warning of the devastation. The suddenness tore at my heart. Beyond their inherent beauty and purpose as providers of clean air, these trees had furnish a habitat for red-winged blackbirds, orioles, tanagers, woodpeckers, goldfinches, cardinals, bluejays, and sparrows, and foxes, deer, beavers, and racoons, all of which we have welcomed to their new home. But this was unnecessary. They all had had a place to live and thrive, and the thoughtless removal of the trees and all the benefits they offer, was another indication of the apathy of those who covet money rather than cherishing nature. I still grieve the loss of our leafy neighbors.

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