"Let The Machines Roar" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
LET THE MACHINES ROAR
Towering trees cover an unproductive hillside:
“It should be a road.” One said. “No,
It should be clear cut for the timber,” The other responded. “Maybe, It should be both, dotted with houses...” they both agreed. So,
Start up that chainsaw, and let the teeth shred deep Into the heart wood, chunking out the wedge, so That hundred and fifty year old tree can...
ringinging ring ringinging
whistle to the forest floor breaking
branches as it smashes through the canopy, flattening The vegetation it once shaded...
Inginginginging... “falling”... chruk snap purhk
Leaving behind a nub of existence
Interwoven throughout the soil, but do not worry, Thanks to the chainsaws, that tree will become:
A house ready to burn in the next drought, paper for a child to scribble upon, Firewood, a table to share family meals, and, maybe, a chair
for that arborist to rest in after a long day of
Clear cutting ancient siblings.
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Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April