I saw Jingle’s ‘ Jingle Poetry @ Olive Garden Poetry Picnic Week 26,’ I was intrigued by the theme ‘Seven deadly sins,’ Jingle said, “Take a sin and study about it, then write what you think of it…”
I choose greed. Why? Well I really, really want stuff right now, stuff that I can’t afford, so greed seems fitting.
Greed is not just ‘wanting’ what someone has, but, the complete ownership.
Winds battled over and around the Old Oak tree pushing,
Pushing a Squirrel out of its den of Oak leaves, sticks and tuffs of grass and chicory
Flattening his body into the deeply furrowed bark, the Squirrel weary and old,
Old hollow branches, and deep set roots, holding tight against the winds
Light slipped around the fast moving clouds, snow falling high above turns
Turns to water and ice spears rain down hitting the Tree and Squirrel carelessly
Fields stretch-out and around the Squirrel and Oak Tree, winds press the prairie flat
Flattening the tallest milkweed pinning it to an uneven ground,
Then pulling out what it can and combing over the rest
“Rest if you can!” The winds mocked, ripping up and tossing pieces of dirt.
Seeds and human cast offs, controlled by the wind, the ground appears to be rolling
Rolling out with the same voracity that gale spun in with, the winds were moving on,
Seeds and berries were taken away from the Squirrel, the Tree lost topsoil inside the winds
“Winds can be harnessed,” muttered the Squirrel, “Use its power to spread seeds and light”
The tree laughed, “Greed won’t allow it! Greed is for one not all! Wind power profits are for everyone”
“Everyone can survive, save and flourish with wind power. Think about it little squirrel and ask yourself …
Is it Greed when the heavy winds blow away what can be used or eaten?
Is it Greed when a tiny rodent squirrels away food for winter?
Is it Greed when I, the mighty Oak, digs deep and drinks all I need?
Or, is it Greed when the fields are cemented over in the name of economic growth and profit,
“Profit? What is profit?” Asks the Squirrel,
“Money to line your nest.” answers the Tree,
The Squirrel’s eyes got big.
The Oak Tree laughed “You and I are not profitable.
The ground vibrated under the tree the squirrel looked out.
“Hold tight, old Tree, Greed just rolled in!”