Rural

The apples grown

Turned to ash upon first touch

The tree broken and damaged

By the hands that now owned

The field where they grew,

Threatening starvation-

Blades slicing deep

Cutting roots that held tight

For centuries,

But now world upheaved

Welcoming ideals and ideas

No longer in line

With the families dwelling

In peace before the convoy,

Living side by side

With flora and fauna

No longer a desired path

By the masses-

A race to clear the earth

Of what existed before the arrivals landed

With their axes and saws,

Their fires and drought,

A warband intent

On bringing their way of life

To the wood folk still hiding

Among the trees that stand

Awaiting their turn,

Their trunks on the cutting board

With the spirits of those living

Amongst them,

Dreams crumbling

With every fell brother.

Katrina Thornley is an indie poet often inspired by nature. In June of 2024 she released her 3rd poetry collection, Arcadians: Awakening in Nature. It is available on Amazon.

Be sure to follow her on Instagram to stay up to date on new releases and to chat!