Another Epistle to Be Left in the Earth
Editor’s Note: Bob Perschel’s new book, Numinosity, was released to rave reviews earlier this year, and is reviewed in this issue. He writes about the beauty of nature as well as the huge challenges it faces at the hands of humans. This poem describes the beauty of the earth and its biodiversity, and laments its passing. – Liz Thompson
I will leave this in the Earth.
I will leave this Here, Under this rock,
Under this mountain
For ten thousand years.
Until after the warming.
I will tell them.
(those who come after)
I will tell them all I know.
I will tell them all I’ve seen.
I will tell them everything:
There is snow on the shoulder of Kilimanjaro.
Organisms glitter in dark bio-luminescent bays.
Small animals add their bodies to ancient ocean reefs that stretch forever.
Rain showers sweep across unbroken Amazonian forests.
Rivers of ice flow in northern Montana.
There is a Park named Glacier,
Maple trees burst into crimson on the flanks of the Green Mountains.
A long sandy cape wanders to sea and curves back to us.
There are islands off the coast.
The rolling ocean etches broad milky beaches in their shorelines.
It was ours.
All this will be lost to you.
Each spring unknown birds call our names to the sky.
We do not listen.
“The rolling ocean etches broad milky beaches…” Photo © Liz Thompson
“Maple trees burst into crimson…” Photo © Liz Thompson
Robert (Bob) Perschel joined the New England Forestry Foundation in April 2012 and retired in 2024. In his 40 years as an environmental professional, he has worked on forestry, large landscape conservation, and wilderness issues. Bob worked for the forest industry before establishing his own forestry consulting business and founding the Land Ethic Institute. He then worked in leadership positions for The Wilderness Society and Forest Stewards Guild. Bob has a master’s degree in forestry from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and a psychology degree from Yale College.