Teen Ink: Environment: Old Man of the Forest from our Teen Magazine

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Old Man of the Forest

Crystal P., Havre, MT

By Tao S., Hopkinton, MA

He gazes sadly
At the housing complex, newly constructed,
So rudely intruding upon the peace of the forest,
As a passing car leaves behind the stench

of progress.
He looks around,
Remembering his childhood home, reminiscing
The days before tarmac and suburban sprawl,
When life flowed through like a bubbling creek.
Fond memories return
Of a summer shower, of songs of birds in love.
His face, scarred by long-forgotten wars, smiles,
For the first time in what seems like centuries.
I stare silently
At the ancient oak tree, seeing its loneliness
Feeling its pain and sorrow. I sit and wonder
What this old man of the forest must be thinking.

Environment Index

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