Uncharted Courses

Sixty thousand pounds
One hundred sixty horses
Snorting like leviathan
On uncharted courses

Eleven feet of width
Thirty-two of reach
Tank-like tracks that crush the rock
With a metallic screech

Carving up the hillside
With the greatest ease
Playing toss with boulders
Plucking up huge trees

A tree that falls is heard
Some even make a sigh
A sound that makes me wince
I will not tell a lie

Progress can be brutal
On nature, we intrude
We like to make an entrance
Loud and brash and rude

I tell myself the openings
Make room for trees to grow
Or so I justify;
I’m pretty good, you know

Deftly flicking boulders
Smoothing out the dirt
Yard by yard he moves along
Master craft at work

It’s not for the timid
Or the faint of heart
Carving trails on mountainsides
Truly is an art

We’ve started every morning
Briefly, with a prayer
For Shawn and for his safety
And for God’s presence there

Hard to juxtapose 
Stewardship, dominion:
The beauty there down in the vale,
Diesel-powered pinions
 
In time, the forest will forget
And cover up our scars
For now, I walk His wooded trail
At night, beneath His stars.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Horsman Avatar
November 14, 2022 at 8:14 PM
Wow, a story of the lumberjack? Jeff, just love the sentiment the care, the power of the Drot, or caterpiller. i use to drive one many years ago. The poetry is truly superb, and yes a journey into 'Uncharted Courses' A Fav. Harry
Kyser Avatar
November 15, 2022 at 3:28 AM
We’ve been using a “midsize” John Deere excavator to create a Jeep trail from our house down to the valley below. Quite an adventure, amazing to watch. Thanks for the read and so glad you enjoyed it!
Hankins Avatar
November 12, 2022 at 9:30 AM
A beautiful poem, well-written, showing your love of nature and your desire to see her preserved while still serving our needs. Good stuff, Jeff.
Forbes Avatar
November 12, 2022 at 6:54 AM
This one gave me the chills! Especially your last couplet. Thank you!!
Braun Avatar
November 12, 2022 at 5:51 AM
Wow! I love it. I had no idea where it was going, but I enjoyed the path it etched in my mind and the images I explored as I continued to read your poem, and reached its meaningful conclusion. Well done!
Kyser Avatar
November 12, 2022 at 6:24 AM
Thanks so much, Martin - for the read and the gracious comments.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace