Pastoral Delights: Blooms, Blossoms, Fresno's Fruit Trail

Pastoral Delights

Numerous heads of cattle are grazing on the grassland
under a spring-like weather in the middle of Winter
Not far from a lone oak tree, the steers concentrate
on the tall non-native grass that grows in the sudden pools
A recent wind has cleared the ozone and the smog that tend
to block the view of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains
From their hives on the edge of the fields,
the working bees of the central Valley have already realized
the appropriate weather conditions to fly from nectar to nectar
Most of them will return the next day to pollinate almond trees
There are no nuts without bees. Neither are there crops
without snow and water flowing down from the mountains

On such pre-spring days, who wants to think about ozone?
Yet, we know that this invisible gas is as sure as Spring,
Fall, and Summer. May this perfect picture last one more day!
The sun shines enough to break the cold and warm one’s heart
in the backroads of Madera and Fresno counties.
Who wants to think about particulate matter or PM?
These solid materials get suspended in the air
of the San Joaquin Valley. We throw ourselves into many
outdoors activities. We breathe the soot, ash, diesel exhaust,
dust and nitrogen-containing chemicals
that rich and poor residents swim through. We are all equal
before air pollution. So are we with asthma attacks, heart attacks,
lung cancer, chest pain, wheezing and many other weather-related ills.
Who wants to think about the days when kids can’t play outside?
Who wants to think about the times
when football practices must be cancelled?
Bad air saps the energy of most valley residents

Isn’t it time that we protect our heart?
Let everyday be Valentine’s day
Loved ones will pay more attention
to their sweetheart’s health.
Isn’t it time we pay attention
to the air quality index?
We, Californians, enjoy outdoor activities
Yet, when the reading of the AQI is above 150,
we should heed forecasters’ advice.
“Limit your outdoor activities. You should be concerned.”
Soon the seasonal rainwater pools of Madera will be the sites
of beautiful wild flowers which will attract nature lovers
Let the ranchers join hands with the environmentalists
to preserve and fight off creeping encroachment,
hungry urban development and sprawls
The majestic rolls of the landscape are potent magnets
that will prevent future generations from enjoying
the unspoiled view and access to the Sierra Nevada range