Decadence of an Old Growth Forest

Michelle Barker lives and writes in Penticton, B.C. with her husband, four children and two dogs. Her poetry has been published in various literary reviews around the world and appears in the 2011 Best Canadian Poetry anthology. She has published short fiction, as well as creative non-fiction, and her work won a gold National Magazine Award in personal journalism in 2002. Presently she is studying for her Master's degree in creative writing at UBC's optional-residency program. "Decadence of an Old Growth Forest" is from her chapbook, "Old Growth, Clear Cut," to be published shortly by Leaf Press.

4. Decadence of an Old Growth Forest

A cathedral, too, is decadent—
just look at the wasted
square footage
the stone they might have used
for shopping malls

and here, this stained glass,
what is the purpose
of a window
you can't see through?

candles left burning at all hours
even when no one is there

and don't get me started
on the vertical loss of space—
five floors of apartments at least

artwork on the ceiling

as if anyone looks up
anymore

prayer is decadent
and silence

so, too, peace.