Once and Now

I used to breathe in lungfuls of clean night air
Sweet, fresh breezes once ruffled my hair
The starry night sky was beautiful and clear
Forests of trees made their homes here
When dawn arose, the birds did sing
And warm, golden sunshine the afternoon would bring.

Yet now, the night sky is darkened and clouded
The wind smells of fumes, and the trees are shrouded
Those that are left still standing are crying
Stretching out withered branches, sobbing, screaming, dying
Sounds of a busy l, squalid suburb drown out the birdsong
Tears pour down my face, seeing everything gone wrong.

Through the bitter sadness, I clench trembling fists
For burning love of nature, I know to persist
Rivers, birdsong, stately trees
Wildlife, clean air, velvet bees
Those precious natural wonders of this earth
Must be revived for its rebirth.