THE RAPE OF ASHLEY

Defenseless and innocent soaking in the sun she stood
alone and together not realizing destruction had begun.

Like a wild animal, unabashed, unafraid, and bold
he attacked her perimeter, clawing and scratching.
First removing her cover, to systematically discover
those members he could savor and sell.

The rest will become trash to dispose of by burning.
This stand of ash trees is into furniture turning.  
The Eco-system exploited for economic gain
will provide benefits for some and for all of us, pain.

When the last tree has fallen, and nothing of value is left,
The exposed body of conquest will not be put to rest.
If Mother Nature is allowed to address this obscenity,
in time she will nurture and restore this insensitivity.

Available for future generations to exploit.

If not and this spot becomes a paved parking lot,
then one more constraint will challenge our survival.