Collection of Tanka Poems (Vol. I)

This poem was inspired by the insight of our fellow poet, Mr. Bruce Burkard. It was originally in haiku form.  
 
Autumn in the Capitol  
 
bursting of colors  
along Washington parkway  
soothing to my soul  
wondering what would it be  
if there are no living trees  
 
the call of the wild  
along the Potomac river  
music to my ears  
if its old banks overflowed  
my world would be sad and doomed  
 
beauty of nature  
dancing with the passing wind  
whispering good-bye  
her whispers become louder  
yet, no one pays attention  
 
if now, we don't care  
future generations die  
robbed of nature's best  
the rolling hills and green fields  
become their graveyards instead  
 
we owe to our youth  
what our forefathers had left  
conserve and protect  
stop denuding forests  
to preserve ecosystems  
 
join me in my plea  
send e-mails to the Capitol  
preserve nature's wealth  
influence decision makers  
in writing new policies  
 
it's never too late  
listen to the weeping tree  
my heart bleeds for you  
every time you cut my trunk  
gloomy days not far behind  
 
my spirit roams  
in my own niche of the woods  
our legacy lives  
thank you for heeding my plea  
nature's beauty, here to stay...
 
alternate ending (last stanza)
 
my spirit roams
in my own niche of the woods
tears mix with flash floods
mourning the loss of loved ones
price you paid for being deaf!