Cut hands
Bruised calves
Aching shoulders
Sweat filled eyes
Grass coated skin
The scent of mixed gasoline permeates the humid air
Whirring orange lines growl, drowning out the call of the Nene
Cool breezes dance fleetingly through the landscape
Numerous hours spent in solitary destruction yet countless more remain
Rocks, sticks, and dirt amalgamate to produce a tornado of debris
Hunger claws viciously
The sun’s rays fall harshly on mosquito bitten flesh
Blisters dot the surface of sore feet
Heat from the exhaust ignites lingering bruises from a failed stream crossing
Eons pass, still the clock remains frozen
Weak tissue hardens to muscle
Dense greenery fades to inviting trail
A mule rumbles excitedly through the newly cleared path, carrying native plants and shovels
Children laugh between walls of grass and march determinedly towards a stream
Water testing commences, bringing data (and funds) where it is needed most
Glares of hatred at the weed wacker morph into friendly smiles
“I’ll miss you during my linear algebra lecture” I whisper
