Looking Back Poem by martin elbin

Some bred to life out in the woods
before the city's gray had spread
where paths were trampled bits of earth
made by ancestors long since dead.

Lost vistas far beyond such sight
old forest's reach was endless green
and unlike city's wasted rock
exposed outcrops were fresh and clean.

Green leaves and fruits had fed the folk
farms eased where trees and rocks gave way,
but cities lit by cold bright lights
could work well past the light of day.

Way far across a wilderness
herds fled before the trains of men
depositing the city's seed
inventing pasts-remember when?

Men came on ancient paths and climbed
the mountains, forded riverbeds
built on their backs and slaves lament
the tracks and bridges railroads fed.

Beds bunked and filled with tired souls
each evening as the sun would set
some wondered of the toils and stress
of goals and triumphs they had met.

Set up against the walls and earth
such cities grew as none had seen
vast forests full and old foot paths
had faded as had never been.

Seen from the rooftops of the towers
through dazed and lost and lonely eyes
few trees or meadows still remained
to speak of loss with wistful sighs.