No Land Weeps for Thee
*
The ice provides in this old land.
Each morning, I sit on the porch I built overlooking the water.
Today, icicles cling for dear life to the gutters while their friends, the snow mounds, hang on the white birch branches.
There’s just enough snow to settle the noise, to remind me how it used to be.
It used to be just us and the Smiths on this lake. Quiet and serene.
Now, the forest of birch trees has thinned. The deer don’t stroll through the yard.
Where there were only our tip-ups–real wood, mind you, there is now a forest of plastic.
Robert Smith used to sit here with me, too. That man loved to fish and was a damn good hunter. Always brought a fresh pheasant for Christmas. He made his donations to the Chief and respected the eagles on his property. We were always good neighbors.
That was until the diner closed down.
Robert tried his best. He really did.
But the out-of-towners wouldn’t pay for his roast once Starbucks moved in.
Every year until they left, we’d host Christmas. Spark a fire. Pour some schnapps. Give the kids a few toys.
Now, there’s never time, yet the iPad’s always alight.
The ice provides, just like the woods, and the streams.
Yet, with every sunrise, less of it remains.
I finish sipping my coffee out here one last time.
The developer should arrive soon.
I guess we didn’t learn the first time–
This land is no longer mine.
About the Creator
Matthew J. Fromm
Full-time nerd, history enthusiast, and proprietor of arcane knowledge.
Here there be dragons, knights, castles, and quests (plus the occasional dose of absurdity).
I can be reached at [email protected]
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Comments (35)
Great job congratulations
Congrats on getting TS.
Makes me think about the folks in Alaska that have their houses floating on lakes. The beauty is all enveloping. The only chance for it to be ruined is for us to pollute it. There are parts in the world never touched by us. I hope they remain that way.
Congrats on Top Story!🥳
I wish more children got a chance to experience the beauty of nature and community instead of being raised behind concrete and fences. Maybe this would all feel less 'natural' if they knew they weren't alone, and still had something to lose.
Ah man Matthew this is a fantastic piece, and so relevant in today’s world. Beautiful imagery too, very well done
Amazing story, I love the gradual reveal of the premise. Well-written microfiction demonstrating great grasp of the genre.
That was the case for us, I built our home on a beautiful forested area with a creek across from us years ago, Now there is a full on development where we were assured it was to be untouched land. I guess they saw me enjoying it too much. Such is life.. Congratulations.
Oh, that's sad. Congrats on Top Story :)
Very deftly done indeed. This could fit into any anthology of Canadian fiction about the dwindling wilderness and the petty venality of contemporary humans.
Great message. Well done! 🥰
This is a fabulous story; beautifully written, moving and powerful! Well done!
Amazing job! Keep up the outstanding work
Makes me sad, but great job!
Great micro! thank you for sharing
I'm glad I grew up in the 90s with a still comfortable balance of technology and nature.
Augh! So stressful! I definitely feel the sadness here, the powerlessness. This was really well done. Congrats on top story and amazing job evoking those emotions.
Great micro! You really crafted a powerful sense of nostalgia and incorporated strong imagery.
I love this! Reflecting in nature right before more of it will be taken away. You create a beautiful yet bittersweet picture here.
Congrats on TOP! Very beautifully written.
Excellent work, Matthew. You are a great poet. I love the symbolism you use throughout.
Every word feels labored and painful, very deeply felt piece
A great take on the challenge, and a unique way of showing our negative impact on nature! “The ice provides, just like the woods, and the streams. Yet, with every sunrise, less of it remains.” says it all 🙌🏽
So beautifully written and so heartbreaking. Congrats on the TS
You paint such a vivid scene with your words. It's hard to acknowledge how we change the landscape and miss out on nature's beauty. Congrats on the Top Story!