The Axeman Calleth Poem by gary polonsky

A sonnet by Gary Polonsky

"It feels so good to finally lie down",
Said Pine at Axeman's bullish, deadly deed,
Why else did forests populate the ground,
Leaving space for sowers to re-seed?
I remember, as a seedling, too,
Wondering whether Cone would grow,
And, as such, plough a path for You,
Chief Decider, Source of all we know.

Do You decide where consciousness begins?
Or science? Or rudimentary math?
Or who records the snake's evolving skins?
Or when it's time for Earth to take a bath?
I just don't know - do you? - what lies ahead,
Meanwhile I take my place among the dead.


Written in Ontario, Canada - 25th May 2020