TREE HUGGERS

by Darcy Grabenstein

In days gone by, “tree hugger”
was used as a slur by some
to describe those granola-crunching types
who wrapped themselves around tree trunks
to prevent loggers and the like
from committing acts of deforestation
To others, “tree hugger” 
comes as a compliment,
describing devoted environmentalists
who care about the earth
about sustainability
about what will be left for the next generation
And now, “tree hugger” describes
those holding on for dear life
as bone-crunching ICE goons
commit acts of deportation
tearing innocents from their roots,
from their loved ones
Have you ever hugged a tree?
In Japan it’s called shinrin-yoku,
forest bathing, transferring
of life force from tree to human.
Native Americans hugged trees
to heal both body and soul.
Here, masked marauders
surrounded a woman seeking haven
using brute force 
to break her embrace
break her spirit
break all moral codes
I wish I could envelop this woman
in a big bear hug
tell her she is welcome here
she is safe here
tell her
she is home
 

A marketing writer by profession, Darcy Grabenstein turns to poetry as a creative and cathartic outlet. The theme of social (in)justice runs through many of her poems, and she longs for the day where her page will finally be blank.

LULLABY

by William Aarnes

“Lullaby,” lithograph by Henry Moore (1973) via Henry Moore Foundation collection.

for Hale 

 

Sleep, child; we hope       

you stay unharmed 

while you grow wise, 

while you grow wise.   

 

Your mother hopes 

you stay unharmed 

though forests burn    

and oceans rise.            

                                      

Your father hopes 

you stay unharmed 

though despots rule 

with goons and lies.    

 

Your parents hope 

you stay unharmed  

though wars drag on

with drone-filled skies 

 

Sleep, child; we hope 

we stay unharmed  

till you’ve grown wise, 

till you’ve grown wise. 

William Aarnes lives in New York.