The captive audience
It is time
To go back to the bottom.
Marked by disease
In a flurry and hurry
To their inevitable ending
Like lost searchers
Into unknown realms.
American Elms.
For immunity,
And good-bye community.
Shall we go to the river -
Frozen currents deliver
Us into the universal sleep -
Let the willows weep.
It is time.
The captive audience
Copyright 2001
It is time. The captive audience surrounds the stage: patient prisoners without a cage. It is time to go back to the bottom. Good-bye to autumn as the cool passing breeze sends children to trees marked by disease in a flurry and hurry to their inevitable ending gradually descending like lost searchers into unknown realms. Winter’s wrath overwhelms American Elms. It is time for immunity, equal opportunity, and good-bye community. Shall we go to the river - shed our skins with a shiver? Frozen currents deliver us into the universal sleep - with dreams so deep. Let the willows weep. It is time. The captive audience surrounds the stage: patient prisoners without a cage.
Gillet Ave., Waukegan, IL. Summer 1962. A beautiful tree lined enchanted lane.
This is a fungus disease which clogs the water-carrying vessels of the tree. The disease is transmitted by the elm bark beetle. Perhaps the American elm is destined to a fate similar to that of the American chestnut.
The Iroquois Indians are believed to have used the bark of the American Elm for making rope, canoes, utensils, and even roofing for their homes. The tough, cross-grained wood is highly resistant to splitting and is used in making furniture, baskets, and flooring.
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