Tree stumps
Of the forest
Like wounds bled dry

Reminders of enraged
Hordes of people
With chainsaws
Hacking down trees

Tree stumps
Of the forest
A scab that will never heal

The laborers
Rev their chainsaws
And heft their axes
The trees shiver
As the axes dig deep
Into their flesh

Tree stumps
Of the forest
Forgotten fallen splendor

The hyena’s laughter
Is like the cry
Of a starving child
As the trees fall
To become slaves
To the earth

Tree stumps
Of the forgotten forest
Animals are ghosts searching
for lost homes
There is no forest

Africa’s treasure
Taken away
Rain falls
Tears

Marcus Gordon