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Awakening to the Red Road: An Ecopoetic Odyssey 'Part 1 of 6'

"Awakening to the Red Road: An Ecopoetic Odyssey"
I. Anthropocentric Dissonance
-	Daniel Henry Rodgers

Do you hear that rumbling? 
That's the ancient woodlands wailing and crying out! 
I can hear their echoes mourning as 
we silence those whispering tree elders. 
Sacrificing their hard-earned truths on the 
bloodstained altar of our selfish wants and empty riches. 
We humans swagger through these groves - 
acting like we're masters of it all. So arrogantly crowning 
Our damn selves as lords over every creature, plant, 
and form of life – 
playing god and recklessly dictating. 

Which beings earn the right to thrive? 
or wither away to cold dust and brittle bone. 
We've devolved into a parasitic breed, 
our swollen egos draining. 
This world of its profound worth and beauty. Blinded, 
we can't perceive. The sacred spark and 
the divine breath animating all of creation, no. 
In our self-consumed crusades 
we treat life as a mere resource. 

Fuel for our ecocidal rampages stripping the land to its very bones. 
Yet my brothers and sisters from the Haudenosaunee Nation, 
they still revere that Great Tree of Peace. 
Holding that reverence close, while we've let it become 
a relic gathering dust on the shelf. 

Honoring the Peacemaker's teachings that we've shoved aside, 
let slip from our hearts and minds? 
The wisdom of "All Life is Sacred" that our kind has forgotten... 
forsaken in our blind pursuits. 

But we just can't seem to quit unraveling those sacred threads - 
pulling and picking at that delicate soulful life. 
Careless, clumsy hands tearing apart the masterpiece. 
that was gifted to us to protect, to cherish. 
With every selfish act, every discordant cry
I let rip raw from my core across these ancient lands... 

That haunting dissonance swells - 
a rising tide drowning out life's sacred symphonies. 
A haunting dissonance smothering the harmonics of 
living- 
and dying all around me. 
Each time I turn a deaf ear to the earth's groaning laments 
every time I let greed drown out her melodies. 

Still, I feel it burning? that resilient... 
rebellious hope within the discord. 
A clear voice piercing the din, pleading –
"Wake up, open your eyes, realign!" 
Can't you hear our ancestors wailing, 
ringing out like a clanging bell? 

If we let our hubris drown out 
their sacred symphony much longer.
Then mark my words, 
the silence of these woods will become... 
our ultimate undoing.

Copyright © Daniel Henry Rodgers | Year Posted 2024

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Shadow Hamilton Date: 7/2/2024 2:01:00 PM Daniel you write the truth we have betrayed our planet we are no better than a virus. no wonder nature is fighting back. She sees us for what most high ranking people are, the way we pillage and rape our beautiful world hugs Shadow Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 7/4/2024 11:57:00 AM Dear Shadow, I love your visits! We are the proverbial tree huggers of the world, and maybe through poetry or other actions we can make a difference in our world so that nature becomes a sacred place for all to respect and honor. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Valsa George Date: 6/15/2024 10:22:00 PM "Careless, clumsy hands tearing apart the masterpiece. that was gifted to us to protect, to cherish." How true, dear friend! The beautiful earth created for man and all other living beings by God is denuded of the pristine beauty and glamor it had originally. Man's hubris leaves him in a mental state that he is not satisfied with anything. He keeps on exploiting our Earth to the point of making it an ugly dustbin with polluted air and unclean water bodies. I understand the depth of your concern dear friend. We are all responsible for the slow death of our mother planet. Your poem is a clarion call to become aware of the imminent danger awaiting us and to do the needful to avert an apocalypse. I shall walk with you through the red road as and when I get time. Stay blessed dear friend. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/17/2024 5:52:00 AM Dear Valsa, your insightful comments have wonderfully expressed the message behind my poem. I think most would agree with the tragic reality of humanity's careless exploitation of our precious Earth. Yes, we all share responsibility for preserving our planet's beauty for future generations. Thank you for your thoughtful reflection and commitment to walking this path together. - Blessings, My Dear, Friend, Daniel

Sally Eslinger Date: 6/11/2024 3:03:00 PM Love this, Daniel, i must catch up with he rest of it you’ve posted. Sounds lovely ke what the trees i pass here sometims try to commnicate when they’re not singing to one amother Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/13/2024 7:58:00 AM Dear Sally, Thank you so much for your visit and comments my friend. I just love the great outdoors and what nature has in store for us. - Blessings, My Dear, Friend, Daniel

Beryl Edmonds Date: 6/10/2024 4:48:00 PM Dear Daniel this is a marvellous write, we must all do our bit to keep the earth as beautiful as the creator would ask us to. I love everything about nature, am in awe of the trees, just love them, the flowers too. The sky by day or by night never fails to delight, all things wonderful that God gave to us must be looked after. Blessings, Beryl Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/11/2024 4:59:00 AM Dear Beryl, I want to thank you for your heartfelt words! I wanted to capture the essence of our responsibility to cherish and protect our beautiful Earth. Yes, Trees, flowers, and the ever-changing sky—each a testament to the Creator’s artistry—are worth preserving. May we continue to be stewards of this wondrous gift. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Joe Maverick Date: 6/10/2024 1:10:00 PM I find value in the ethos you convey here Daniel And I too once thought a lot like this.' I note you search For an innocence ' purity and the fauna do offer This as they only live and grow' and reoplenish The oxygen we need e t c.' Yet there is more to Creations interweave than any of us know.' I Have had to re evaluate my best earlier estimates of Lifes path and its challenges.' Due to being Confronted with Gods apperance and action That confound all calculus of human wisdom Period.!! Anyway great to read Login to Reply Joe Maverick Date: 6/10/2024 1:11:00 PM Your offering of how our Complex system lives May God be with you.)

Tom Woody Date: 6/6/2024 4:58:00 AM A lament indeed, but an absolutely valid one. Greed, carelessness, apathy, inaction, weak resolves all play a part in the slow destruction of rainforests and other parts of a delicately interwoven ecosystem designed by a loving Creator - for ALL living things to share. On to part two... Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/7/2024 9:28:00 AM Dear Tom, I was delighted to see your note. Yes, our loving Creator has made us the stewards of this earth. When I walk in nature, I am always amazed at all the variations of species that surround me. My Lord fills my heart with joy, contemplation, and introspection about my role and us as humans regarding the Earth. Blessings, My Dear, Friend, Daniel

Nancy Kaufman Date: 6/6/2024 4:33:00 AM Hi Daniel, This is very timely and believe it or not, I wrote my poem today before I read this one of yours. Now I will read your other two. Your message and gifted pen is always treasured. Blessings Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/7/2024 9:24:00 AM Dear Nancy, I love it because it sounds like you are a tree hugger like me. Thank you for your kindness, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/5/2024 3:33:00 PM Always you write with such depth and sophistication. A very meaningful series this is sure to be, Daniel. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/7/2024 9:23:00 AM Dear Andrea, Thank you for your uplifting comments, for they always fill my emotional barrel. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Joseph May Date: 6/4/2024 2:03:00 AM Powerful write, We are chipping away at nature's treasure, as greed and profit tear down woodlands. Very nicely done Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/4/2024 8:43:00 AM Thank you so much, Joe; I appreciate your note and recognition of our responsibility to Mother Earth. Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Susan Manley Date: 6/3/2024 8:54:00 AM Humans fail to realize they become the pollution to the landscape when they enter it with dissonance. Leaving no trace is an artform when moving through such spaces. Your poem haunts some of my memories of spoiled landscapes I attempted to clean. I took out trashbags of "stuff" at 8 thousand feet, in the rockies... Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/4/2024 8:42:00 AM Dear Susan, I am so happy that your words echo the harmony we seek with nature. We should all be inspired to fully understand our duty to preserve the beauty around us. Thank you for sharing your experiences and for your efforts in the Rockies. Your actions truly embody the spirit of friendship. - Blessings, My Dear Friend

Silent One Date: 6/2/2024 10:40:00 AM Your poem serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's responsibility to coexist harmoniously with the natural world. Through its exploration of themes such as human hubris, interconnectedness, and the urgent need for balance, the poem urges readers to heed the call for environmental stewardship and to strive for a future where the silence of the woods is preserved for generations to come. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/4/2024 8:38:00 AM Dear Silent One, I fully agree with your recognition of our shared responsibility towards nature and the need for balance, which seems to be a missing component. I’m grateful for your thoughtful reflections, your stand of solidarity, and, finally, your call for environmental stewardship. Maybe we can save our Earth. Blessings, My Dear Friend

I Am Anaya Date: 5/31/2024 12:39:00 PM We must listen to the powerful message you have so honorably submitted. We are part of the crime against our Mother Earth. We must do our part to keep our home protected. Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” It reminds us that the Earth belongs to God and we are merely stewards of His creation. Here the Redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth! Their majestic beauty are preserved. Nature is grateful to you for this wonderful piece. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/4/2024 8:35:00 AM Dear Anaya, I appreciate your understanding and concern for our shared responsibility towards Mother Earth, which is inspiring. I also loved your reference to Psalm 24:1, and the majestic Redwoods add such depth. Anaya I am always truly grateful for your kind words and appreciation. Thank you for your thoughtful reflections. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Sotto Poet Date: 5/30/2024 8:07:00 PM Dear Daniel, the poem delves into the detrimental effects of human actions on the environment and advocates for a more balanced and interconnected relationship with nature. It highlights how human pursuit of power and control has led to the neglect of the intrinsic worth of nature, resulting in its depletion. The poem stresses the importance of learning from indigenous cultures, such as the Haudenosaunee, who respect and recognize the interconnectedness of all living beings. Through powerful language like "ancient woodlands," "murmuring trees," "innate value," "egocentric crusades," and "eternal silence of nature's cease," the poem effectively conveys its message. The use of words like "hubris," "expendable," and "dissonance" adds depth and intensity to the theme of human impact on the environment. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/31/2024 7:00:00 AM Dear Sotto, Your insightful analysis beautifully captures the core themes and messages within the poem. You keenly understood the call to recognize nature's intrinsic worth beyond human desires, and to learn from indigenous wisdom about our interconnectedness with all life. Your observations on the powerful language used to convey the dissonance between human hubris and nature's eternal presence are spot-on. Thank you for this nuanced, perceptive reading - it's immensely gratifying when the deeper intentions resonate so clearly. I'm grateful for your thoughtful engagement with the work. - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Sara Kendrick Date: 5/30/2024 2:19:00 PM Drawing awareness to the plight of our world's diminishing forest, animals, and natural resources which affecting everyone everywhere is a great way to go. Thank you for sharing this one and for dropping by my page. Sara K Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/31/2024 6:58:00 AM Dear Sara, thank you for your thoughtful feedback. You're absolutely right - raising awareness about the threats facing our forests, wildlife, and natural resources is crucial. Through poetry, I hope to inspire appreciation and action to protect our planet's wonders. I'm grateful this piece is presented with that mission. Your support means a lot as we work to safeguard the environment for all. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Paige Hind Date: 5/30/2024 1:36:00 PM Gorgeous, I am going to like reading your series because I love Nature- looking forward to reading more of you, :) Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/31/2024 6:57:00 AM Dear Paige, I'm so delighted to hear you enjoyed this nature poem! Your love for the natural world shines through. Knowing this series connects with fellow nature enthusiasts like yourself is incredibly encouraging. I have many more poems celebrating the beauty and wisdom of our environment planned. Thank you for the kind words - they inspire me to keep writing from the heart. - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Candide Diderot Date: 5/30/2024 9:32:00 AM Let’s raise it another notch far left of centre. One wonders if like all living things on this planet, do trees "feel" ... and communicate as other living “things” do in this world. When one takes into consideration “the science” of it all, and removes oneself as the primary concern, then one would have to logically assume they (i.e. Trees) do. Some of us have seen the likeness between photos of trees and their root systems, branches/next to xray vision of our lungs. This might be considered a fanciful bout of "Tree Empathy". :) Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/31/2024 6:55:00 AM Hello Candide, you raise profound points about the interconnectedness of trees and all life on this planet. The parallels between tree roots/branches and our own lungs hint at a deeper kinship. While fanciful, the notion of "tree empathy" taps into an essential truth - without revering and protecting these oxygen-generating giants, humanity's future grows precarious. Your insights show that preserving rainforests and combating pollution are crucial for our collective survival. Trees are indeed worth celebrating and fiercely defending. Thank you for this insightful perspective. (Tree Hugger Too)- Blessings, My Friend, Daniel Candide Diderot Date: 5/30/2024 9:32:00 AM A world without trees would critically affect humanity and all living creatures that dwell on this earth. I was reading that it would be possible to survive without trees (re: oxygen/trees and their critical role in producing oxygen through photosynthesis ), then my reading segued into this, “ Trees and rainforests produce about 28 percent of the world's oxygen with ocean “plants”, like phytoplankton, producing the rest .” When one considers the levels of pollution and radioactive spills … we are up Sh*t Creek without a paddle. Excellent thoughts behind the writing of this poem. Warm regards, The Tree Hugger.

Duke Beaufort Date: 5/30/2024 5:59:00 AM Daniel, I love what you did here and the mission you are on. Your poem illustrates the lack of understanding we have about nature and the importance of biodiversity. You also point out what could and will happen if we don't change the way we think and act in regards to the natural environment using the forest as a metaphor. What is amazing today is that economic balance sheets for corporations don't take environmental degradation into account. That would show us seriously in the "red." Thus I applaud your title choice and believe it powerfully reflects the extremely serious danger we face today. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/30/2024 8:29:00 AM Hello Duke, Thanks so much for your awesome feedback on my poem! I really appreciate your thoughtful comments about nature and biodiversity. It means a lot to me that you caught the deeper message and the forest metaphor. Your insights on economic balance sheets and environmental degradation are spot on. Thanks again for your support! - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 5/29/2024 4:09:00 PM good use of subtle alliteration in this..i know i always say it, but your writing is really so accomplished and classical sounding.."we hush the murmuring trees", very nice :) Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/30/2024 8:20:00 AM Dear Charlotte, It is always a great joy to ready your kind and beautiful comments. Thank You!! - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Maria Fernandez-Garcia Date: 5/28/2024 11:40:00 PM Wonderful touching piece that invite us to reflect on today's human behaviour. Well penned my dear Daniel. I really enjoyed reading it. I hope you have a geat day. Hugs! Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/29/2024 6:46:00 AM Dear Maria, Thank you so much for your kind words and warm encouragement! I'm delighted you found value in my piece reflecting today's human behavior. Your positivity brightens my day. Sending hugs right back to you, and here's to many more meaningful exchanges! - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Sam Kauffman Date: 5/28/2024 10:19:00 AM Daniel, the depth of your musings rises to the surface in your words and images. Indeed we fight the fight between our call to be custodians of nature and our desire to make captive nature's gift as our own. Looking forward to the next installment of your odyssey. (Great word by the way!) Blessings to you as you write and explore our world through your poetic gifts. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/29/2024 6:44:00 AM Dear Sam, Thank you so much for your kind and insightful words! I'm thrilled that my musings connected with you and that you appreciated the themes of nature and our role as custodians. Your encouragement means a lot to me as I continue to explore and express myself through poetry. Here's to the next chapter of our poetic odyssey together! - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Tonye George Date: 5/28/2024 10:01:00 AM Beautiful insight about life, nature and our connections. There are so many rules and teachings to follow. The hierarchy isn't so favourable. A lot is going on and there's a limit we can do or say to make it balanced, however, we just live and hope it gets better. Cheers dear friend on this wonderful writing Daniel. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/29/2024 6:43:00 AM Dear Tonye, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging words! It means a lot to me that you found beauty and insight in my writing about life, nature, and our connections. Your reflection on our challenges and the hope for a better future is a beautiful prayer. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Kim Rodrigues Date: 5/28/2024 8:47:00 AM A great reader, researcher, a wordsmith! Great alliteration as well andthe messaging sublime! Hugs ~ Kim Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/28/2024 9:16:00 AM Dear Kim, Thank you my friend for visiting and leaving such wonderful and kind comments. Hugs to you also and many Blessings, Daniel

Victor Buhagiar Date: 5/28/2024 7:36:00 AM Part one of six, already feeling the depth of arguments about life. Look forward to the next episodes. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/28/2024 8:19:00 AM Dear Victor, Nice to see your note this morning and I am very appreciative as always. Thank you and have a Blessed Week My Friend! - Daniel

Jack Horne Date: 5/28/2024 6:37:00 AM beautiful work indeed Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/28/2024 8:18:00 AM Hello Jack, Thank you so much for your kind note. - Blessings, Daniel

Vijay Pandit Date: 5/28/2024 5:37:00 AM Words that show the path to enlightenment, Daniel. A powerful poem. I found the essence in the ending stanza--Yet, in the heart of this discord, hope stirs —A call to symmetry, a plea for balance, urgent and clear--hope we heed the call. Login to Reply Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/28/2024 8:17:00 AM Dear Vijay, Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you found the poem powerful and resonated with the essence of the ending stanza. Indeed, amidst discord, hope calls for balance and symmetry. I hope we can all heed this urgent plea. - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

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