The Dusty Trail Round My Bend

A shame, tis that crushed gravel path      
that's seldom footstep riddled,      
where bicycle tires perspire tamed tread so little      
     
A path where timid animal tracks      
are spread thin,      
a vapid vastness cast between flocks      
atop      
ground that sees only squirrels indifferent      
and confused ants entranced      
by stone hill queens      
on that life lean walk, crushing      
I'm shocked,      
for a spot      
with so few dropping leaves      
and so few blades of grass for frost to freeze,      
so few birds or bees,      
to be so lonely, pointless      
     
If only the sculptors had known it      
     
But any deemed annoyance, bones now      
in a place      
where wildlife shouldn't be bonus      
     
Where you see the odd dog leashed,      
branches, twigs and sticks kept neat,      
life erroneous      
     
A path hugged by slatted seats, begonias,      
bathrooms and beaches      
sprinkled with spaces for stinted feet      
to lay or unfold seats      
neath sun, far from busy streets,      
enjoy it please      
     
Limestone laid where once      
were blossoming trees,      
possums picking at peaches,      
common critters now known      
as niche in      
lands, once rock to sand,      
only empty ear canals now      
too proud to scream, listening      
for scarce whisper along gaseous breeze      
to harshly echo down scorched earth      
so a dainty few feel appeased      
and it feels cold      
complaining near rotting corpses of old      
     
To speak of hunger here, of feelings      
unwell, be      
to mock majesty's shell,      
smell of decay made me lose that bold      
     
A desolate frame of wonder      
that only wished to help and be helped      
and      
to be a mother      
Now,      
more hollow than dry throats after      
swallows of sand in summer      
     
Gray rock, topped with life asunder      
This path an outcast      
cept for some indifferent squirrels,      
confused ants    
sifting through twisted blunder    
and riddles    
of footsteps