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I felt the earth moving under my roots.
Very same feeling deep down as it was -
five thousand years ago when Flame Mountain
started murmuring and belching before.
It turned its anger on all of us
spewing a fire river of scorching lava
burning the brush to ash, darkening
all living things it touched in its flow.

They call me "Methuselah The Ancient"
the oldest tree in this mythic lost land.
The tree that they respect and look up to, 
even the all-knowing Ancient Gardner
calls on me for sage advice and counsel.
In "The Land of the Other" elders are
often sought out for their views and wisdom.
That is what separates us from your world.

This spirit who nurtures all earth's things,
is the Ancient Gardner who ploughs and plys
all the lands, waters, beings and skies.
The villagers see the real dangers
clearly the response must come from within;
who is brave enough to stand up and fight,
to act for oneself and for everyone,
a spirit of moving integrity.

The Grand Council took up the threat;
the "Meezers" and the "Weezers" debated
spouting opines over the chamber floor,
neither side giving way to the other.
In tough times, one turns to the elephants.
The Old Bull thought and marched towards me.
He then pushed his trunk against my trunk,
I realized it was my time to act.

We're surrounded by a thick, dark forest,
very few have ever penetrated it.
We think of ourselves as all alone,
unattached to the common culture.
Massive mountains here protect our valley.
The Ancient Gardner watching, oversees
by inspiring other's needed actions.
Time was short, decisions were upon us.

After I sent out the signal of coming doom
I dropped my branches and then prepared
to give myself up and save the others.
Being beside the gulch created before,
I knew my falling would make a land bridge
so that all could escape to safer ground.
I've known thousands who've lived and died here.
It's my turn to spend myself for others.

The sound of fear rustled through forest leaves,
tall grasses bent to the predator roar.
Ground creatures startled into still silence
as the trembling rolls even more and more.
Residents gather at the mountain's base,
ready to flee over the bridge crossing.
Whispering winds are spinning, full with fear;
who will save them and their beloved homes?

Then the elder Weezer rose in Council
stating the Ancient Gardner appeared
in a dream with elephants and critters
saying, "Listen to nature, be pro truth".
Humans must understand that "possessions"
give way to the "duty of stewardship".
Ancient ones have heard this claim before
but this must be told, retold and retold.

So suddenly, Flame Mountain exploded.
Lava filled the gorge searing with flames
all the structures and land in the valley.
Lives were spared by going to the plains;
leaving all their home possessions behind,
as with all things, the land will recover.
Yes, memories of this day will live on.
Vivid images for generations to muse.

In the end, some living things shall survive.
Epic tales are so often shaped by fire
then proudly told by humans to inspire.
Darkness hovers over our chosen path;
through the ages as man has faced change,
adversity rises up to challenges.
Beyond what people think or sometimes say,
real rules of wisdom come from nature's way.




free verse   569 words  10 stanzas
Colored Pencil Illustration by G. Gaul
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