by Renate Homburg
The machines came in the night
stealthy, slinking, stinking
reeking of destruction and corruption
manned by greedy, crooked men
Creatures of the peaceful forest
awoken soft and stark from slumber
grabbed, struggling, blinking
into unforgiving daylight
Old homes viciously torn down
pulverised, vandalised
gentle beings roughly displaced
brutal disregard for their lives
With dollar signs in their eyes
heartless humans distract and destroy
no reverence for beauty,
for sanctuary, sentience, sacredness
Ploughing with violent hands
transforming majesty into dirt
ears shut to the pleas of the Earth
to the cries of animals who have lost
their homes, their hollows, their havens
now adrift in a sea of confusion
scattered and terrified
in this sacrilegious new world
Yet WE hear you, precious souls
we cannot ignore terrorism
against the innocent, the irreplaceable
our hearts break but not in vain
We will speak for you with
compassion, determination, indignation
standing for justice, for life
your small faces bright in our minds
Dwelling in embracing green
free from desecration and condemnation
sheltered, cherished, nurtured
this is what you truly deserve
Renate Homburg
In Renate’s words –
I have always enjoyed expressing my thoughts and ideas through poetry and frequently write about animal and nature protection, which are the issues closest to my heart. I am Adelaide born and bred but have travelled widely and now appreciate our beautiful city even more. The magnificent trees and wildlife of our Park Lands are sacred, and must be valued and protected.
Apart from writing and advocacy, I am also training to be a psychotherapist.
See other “Park Poems” in our series
Make a submission for our “Park Poetry” series. Contact Deb Stewart: poetryintheparklands@gmail.com
