Poetry Corner with Kwesi BISSUE: Where Are the Forests In Our Garden?

It was only yesterday

When we drove along the highway

When we drove under a canopy of trees

Then, we drove along a shaded lane

 

Now we drive on a shredded plain

We drive under threat of a galloping greenhouse

We drive home wet with sweat

…and worn out

Oh where is the canopy?

 

It was only yesterday

When they walked down the serene street

Hand in hand

There were trees

They hugged the windy breeze

They felt the love within

Once they vowed to say I do

They planned to plant nature

 

Soon it faded

The plan to plant to nurture

Now they live without a planted breeze

Now they love without a windy caress

 

It was only yesterday

The last time we were here

When we lingered not far from the sea

There were trees

We hid in their shade

We inhaled and exhaled

…in their freshness

Oh where are the trees?

 

Today we sit and we sweat

Sweating directly under the sun’s heat

Still at the windy beach

Today as we sit, we breathe

The air

Humid and hot we breathe

This air

 

It was only yesterday

On the half-acre they bought

There were trees

Tall and lanky and shaky

Short and stocky and steady

Leafy and roofy and shady

They were meant to be neighbours

In the neighborhood of flowers

Soon to bud into tulips and hibiscus

 

It was only yesterday

When the markings were plotted

The neighbours were affected

The neighbours were uprooted

Oh where are the lanky and the stocky?

Where are the short and the tall

Where is the leafy, roofy, shade?

 

It was only yesterday

On the many acres we cultivated for food

There were trees

Those did not serve food

Those did not bear fruit

Still they were trees

Trees to nurture for manure

Trees to grow for rain

Trees to save for shade

Trees dressed to refresh, replenish

 

Oh where are the trees

Trees to refresh the air we breathe?

They are gone ooo!

Gone with the wind

 

II

Today as we hold the fort

We inhale the heated drought

They cut when they need a log to lodge at the port

…for an important export

They cut when they wade through to reach the golden pot

…hidden in the pit of gold

They cut when they grow a hatred for the tree grower

…even for the seed sower

They cut when they need a car to park

…to line up a fleet of their cars

They cut when they feel trees no longer belong

…where we belong

 

They cut down all that were grown

They are cutting down all that are growing

Here in our Garden of Eden!