I am wilderness in the comfort of suburban denial my solitary struggle to grow outside the comfort fence wind carried seed given life on barren roadside land my siblings killed torn from gardens of tidy conformity their seedling growth stomped trampled and destroyed their vigour feared unwanted gifts of nature spurned.
I grew unnoticed spindly existence posed no threat fed by the light earth and air gave me strength rooting for stability precarious corner of existence spreading branches welcomed wild friends a community visitors on the wind we fed on each other consuming stories wind dances songs for wings and freedom.
I did not yield unbowed by normality invasion unbroken by the unchanging winds of monotony stubborn survival overshadowing dull beautification nature denial by tidy lawn mowing minds my roots deep freedom made them strong rocked by storms limbs bend rejoicing their energy.
I will not fall because here I belong.
- Ciaran Burke
AUTHOR
Ciaran Burke
Social entrepreneur, horticulturist, educator. Photographer, poet, artist and not a bad cook either!
