Poetree (an urban forest shanty - Bin Rich

One of the Top 40 submissions in our 2023 Urban Tree Festival writing competition.

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Poetree (an urban forest shanty)

Return me to the Earth 
When i’ve fulfilled ma birth 
No coffin nono hurst 
Just an offering to the dirt 
I wish to be a Tree 
One with fruit, hopefully 
But any shrub’ll work
..I aint no fussy birch

Few things that i’m certain of 
That one there’s for certain love 
These tresses is destined for the 
Squirrel nuts n’ turtle doves
& Pigeons off the streets
& city paraqueets
Where you can smoke your ‘erb 
With all the fackin’ birds

Roots of the Earth 
Leaves to the Heavens 
Roots of the Earth 
Leaves to the Heavens 
Roots of the Earth 
Leaves to the Heavens

Maybe you’ll choose the same, boss 
& Maybe we’ll be neighbours
& We’d exchange in fungus 
Through the mycelli under us 
Like crayon willies passed in class 
Or ravers in the underpass
A layer really just for us 
Below babylon’s universe

Maybe they’ll see our greatness.. 
& Cut us down for papers
& kids’ll claim our processed scraps 
& scrawl on em to ‘Save Us’! 
Maybe we’re both put in a notebook 
With your page so close to me
You might start a seed of genius 
I could be a Poetree

Roots of the Earth 
Leaves to the Heavens 
Roots of the Earth 
Leaves to the Heavens 
Roots of the Earth 
Leaves to the Heavens

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Bin Rich

Bin Rich is a rapper/singer/songwriter from Camden, London, who dedicates her art and activism to the celebration of the secret forest that is London.