We humans roam the earth
loudly proclaiming our superiority.
Our conversations drown out
the chime of birdsong,
the chatter of squirrels,
the chorus of spring peepers.

Our discoveries seem monumental,
requiring broader horizons,
more land
more sea
more sky.

Yet,
under the current
of our incessant monologue
thrums a deeper conversation,
a conversation of trees, plants, fungi.

As humans decimate more land
acre by acre
the wood wide web
buzzes with hints for survival.

“Hurry, store moisture for the coming drought!
Absorb nutrients from the soil
while you still can.”

If a tree is suffering,
other trees will send
food for survival
through the network
of fungi and microbes
connecting them.

If only our human ears could hear
the desperate cries of plant species
soon to be endangered or extinct.

Alas,
the trees, plants, fungi
know better.
Humans cannot be trusted.

Honestly,
if we were welcomed to conversation
Would we change?

Our track record suggests
no.

**There are many wonderful books by thoughtful scientists, researchers and writers about the world of the Wood Wide Web. A few books to try: Lab Girl and The Story of More by Hope Jahren, Underland by Robert McFarlane, Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake, The Overstory by Richard Powers,