Save Smithy Wood

I AM a published poet living in Spain, but used to live and work near Smithy Wood in Sheffield for the Groundwork Trust in Blackburn and Kimberworth and together with RMBC countryside department we took some lovely groups of adults and children walking thr

I heard about the campaign to save this ancient woodland and wrote two poems that you are free to use in any form whatsoever if it will help the cause to protect the trees.

The first poem uses the same format as Jerusalem by William Blake, and the second one uses the form of Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd, so both would need mentioning in any credits.

Save Smithy Wood (1)

Where is the need in modern times

To kill off Yorkshire’s bits of green?

Why is unholy God of Greed

Slashing where oak and ash have been?

Think you’ll find residents supine

On one of Sheffield’s seven hills?

A pee and petrol stop builded here

Among these ex-cold rolling mills?

Bring me the chest of fools gold!

Bring me an oak or elder’s shade!

Bring me reports! Oh maps, unfold!

Bring me this bluebell wooded blooms!

We will not cease from lawful fight

Nor will our pens rest in our hands

‘Til we have saved old Smithy Wood

From madmen and their madmen’s plans

Save Smithy Wood (2)

We don’t need no service station

We don’t need no high speed trains

So sign petitions, join the protests

Tories leave our woods alone

Hey! Tories! Leave old woods alone!

We won’t let your gold dig-diggers destroy it all We won’t let those dirt dig-diggers destroy it all

David Leslie Uren, Rotherham