Old Tree, by Donna Fitzgerald

I am more important

Than just any old tree

I play a special role

In the grander scheme

Not only do I clean

The air you need to breathe

Don’t forget my presence cools

Climate change creeping

I support so much wildlife

That you cannot see

Lots of insect crawlies

Hide under my bark

There’s a family of Crimson Rosellas

Nesting in a hollow above

And many other winged creatures

Stop over along their daily flight path

For the life of me

I can’t understand why

Man’s Progress

Wants to push me aside

Please recognise

I’m still in my prime

If you trim me back

To a habitat tree

I will stand tall

For centuries

- Donna Fitzgerald