Beauty As It Was

Walking a path

towards an

ocean shore,

I observed stumps

from which

proud trees

once reached

towards the sky.

The distant sounds

of mighty waves

could be heard

as they pounded

against the shore.

Looking upward

into a cloud

filled sky,

It seemed

I could see

the face

of an Indian

looking down

with a look

of despair on

his leathery face.

Turning, to look

from the ocean

toward the

barren land

where those

majestic trees

once stood,

tears seemed

to flow from

his ancient eyes.

It seemed

his tears

angered the ocean,

increasing the

roaring sounds

that ruthlessly

invaded

the retreating

shoreline.

Beauty,

as it was,

will be no more.

Ralph L. Clark © 2002