Clearing Brush - Aug 24 2025

 

Clearing Brush

Aug 24 2025

I cleared brush today.

How did I fail to see

the encircling woods

creeping steadily closer?

Where have I been

all these years

as saplings sprung up

competing for sun,

deadfall and snags

formed an obstacle course,

and the densely tangled underbrush

became impassable?

A reminder 

how short my time is here,

how small

my clearing in the woods. 

And fuel for the fire

I fear must come.

A reminder, as well

how futile it is

clearing brush like this,

when there’s far too much

and the growth is relentless.

Because you can’t clear once

then simply forget it.

But then, isn’t most of life repetitive,

making beds

doing laundry

washing up?

Another meal to prepare,

work again tomorrow?

I walk among majestic trees

and take in their stillness,

immoveable as monuments

and patient as elders.

I see how they belong,

deeply rooted

enmeshed in the soil.

And feel the hubris

in my claim of ownership;

trees 

that were here long before I came

and will remain

long after I’m gone.

Of course, the forest is destined to burn

eventually

and my small place with it.

It evolved with fire

and needs to burn

no matter what I do to prevent it.

I suppose this is nature’s way of clearing brush;

the creative destruction

that will, in the fullness of time, regenerate,

germinating seeds

enriching the soil

and opening up to light.

Dead wood and brush

returning to earth,

mother trees that survive.

A purification by fire,

all at once

and merciless.

But meanwhile, there is work to be done

and evening comes early these days.

I remember when we used to see President Bush (Bush the second) clearing brush on his ranch in the dry country of west Texas. I suppose this was intended to make him look virile, as well as a man of the people. But I also think the manual labour was therapeutic for him, a way to find relief from the 24/7 weight of his office. 

Anyway, I pictured him when I found myself clearing brush today. And smiled, because it had always seemed pointless:  a make-work project, just something to do in that godforsaken place! And also pointless because clearing brush is relentless: it just grows back. Not to mention pointless because there’s so much of it, so no matter how hard you work you hardly make a dent.

I had other thoughts as well. I hope more interesting than of a mediocre President.