This week construction on a new development of townhomes began in my neighborhood. This place, where I pass every day on my morning walk, filled me with peace and beauty. Today, I feel a sense of loss as bulldozers dig the earth and uproot trees. I worry about the wildlife, especially the deer. Where will they go? How long before they are displaced again?
a crop of new homes
replaces forest, meadow, stream
clanking equipment
drown bumblebees and birdsong
deer don't live here anymore
A huge thank you to Kathryn for hosting this week's Poetry Friday.
We've had a huge construction site about two blocks away. New homes & stores are coming by the fall, more traffic & fewer animals for sure. That final line is a powerful ending, Linda, 'nevermore'!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I know people need homes, but so do the animals. I wish there was a way to accomplish both.
DeleteOh, this kind of change is so sad. I hope the deer - and you - find another place of peace and beauty. We all need it, whether we live in cities or towns. (I think 'green' places are so important. Even during drought. Because green is hope and tranquility.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn. I agree, green places are important.
ReplyDeleteThe clank of construction is heard near me, also. We seem to want the beauty of nature as well as the convenience and attractions of city. It is a constant balancing act. Thank you for your poem.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. It's hard to have both. : )
DeleteThat change is so hard. But I suspect the deer will adapt. We live out in the country and frequently have deer in our yard (no chance of a garden or flowers without strong fencing). Even in town, deer stroll through on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, change is so hard. I know the deer will find another home, but I will miss them. : )
ReplyDeleteWe have so much development here it's hard to keep up. Yesterday, a deer scrambled in the road after a patch of woods that used to be there is now graded muddy and flat for new homes and roads. I wish we could work on better balance. I know humans need homes...but so do our animals. Your lines stir up a lot in me.
ReplyDeleteI like your melancholic poem Linda–a good message to send out, and I wish more developments would take into account the wildlife as they build, thanks.
ReplyDeleteclanking equipment
ReplyDeletedrown bumblebees and birdsong
All in the name of progress ...
Morning walks are so revealing.
I felt the same way when construction began some years ago on acres of forested land adjacent to our property. They clear cut all the trees and now there's a tract development there. At least we still see deer and other animals. They fled to our woods! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry! That really does make the heart sink.
ReplyDeleteNice work! I like the poem. I think we must have been thinking similar things this week. My poem is also about decisions people make about what they want in the world.
ReplyDelete