USEFUL TREES
Seeing all the stately trees swaying too and fro,
When they are harvested where will they all go?
Tables, chairs, newspaper or a strong house frame,
Do they mind what they become or would they bow in shame?

For furniture can be admired, polished, see the grain
Of the wood once a tree, maybe old and of some great fame,
Part of a home, that is built strong to stand many a storm,
Maybe a gate, fence, loved and painted even when old or worn.

But what of going to the paper mill, how many stop and think
Of a mighty tree as you read or write with pencil, pen and ink,
In the paper there before you was once part of a lovely tree,
Worse if it’s an evil book, probably ashamed it would be.

How many of us waste paper, throw our old cards away
Instead of trying to use them in some other kind of way,
Maybe make a scrap book so pretty scenes can be seen,
Some showing pictures of trees as they might have been..

I love a warm log fire and am grateful for the fallen tree
That brings so much warmth and comfort to all the family,
And as I write this poem it is something I could not do
If there were no trees growing in forests all the world though.

(Millicent) Ann Margetson September 10, 2003