Ecology
Mary,
said the tall tree
the old wood
the dead leaves
the dark sand-coloured clouds
Mary,
Why aren't you happy?
Dear girl, be happy?
Why not smile?
Why not laugh?
O,
We love you, dear girl
Alas,
said Mary, with gold in her hair
with apple green eyes
with smiles like candles
Alas,
I am not wise and I have never sorrowed
Truly,
How can I understand joy?
Why protest?
Why pretend?
I
Am simple as green grass growing
As dead leaves falling
How can I understand joy
When I am not tempered with sorrow?
Mary,
said the tall sky
Sorrow is dust
and dirt
and smoke
Sorrow is splitting and letting the sun through
I am broken
I am split
I am stained
Such is sorrow
Mary,
said the old wood
Sorrow is swords
and knives
and houses
Sorrow is being torn apart and taken from home
I am tapped
I am torn
I am falling
Such is sorrow
Mary,
said the dead leaves
Sorrow is darkness
and dryness
and plastics
Sorrow is being dragged from the warm, soft ground and hidden away
We are sickened
We are hidden
We are shameful
Such is sorrow
Mary,
said the dark sand-coloured clouds
Sorrow is vision
and wisdom
and eyesight
Sorrow is observing as men fight for the wide fields large enough for them all
We have heard
We have seen
We are voiceless
Such is sorrow
And,
cried the tall sky
Joy is simple!
Joy is spring wind!
Joy,
cried the old wood
Joy is cool silence!
Joy,
cried the dead leaves
Joy is the earth's kisses!
Joy,
whispered the dark sand-coloured clouds
Joy is contentment in understanding
O,
wept Mary
O, now I am wise! Now I know sorrow!
And now,
I am no longer simple!
How shall I be happy,
Now?
Love us,
said the tall sky
Save us,
said the old wood
Belong to us,
said the dead leaves
Be wise,
said the dark sand-coloured clouds
Sorrow is wisdom
Joy is understanding
Provide for us
Have your joy and
Sorrow both
No!
cried Mary
That is not the sorrow I want!
I must be happy!
and she ran far away
Such is life,
sighed the tall sky
They always run,
murmured the old wood
Ask another,
whispered the dead leaves
No,
said the dark sand-coloured clouds
When they run, we cannot catch them
So
We will make them hide
Tuck away the bird which cannot fly
Shield from them the little elephants
When they search,
they will not find the
wing-armed turtles
And make the spotted cats disappear!
And break the sky further to let in the sun!
And tear down the woods to make their earth slide and shake!
And make their soil loose so their new crops cannot grow!
If they
Will run from us
We
Will make them hide
And nothing will be left
And then let Mary wish for sorrow!
O,
complain of your ignorance but cling to it!
You hurt us!
And...
We cannot love you, dear girl...
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