Ode to Saying No (to the proposed PPD)

Dear Editors:

I am a resident of the village of East Quogue.  I am also a poet and currently serve (by self-proclamation) as the official poet laureate of Weesuck Creek. 

It is in my official capacity that I am writing to express my strong opposition to Discovery Land Company's proposed luxury golf resort development known as the Hills.   Mindful that some of my neighbors may harbor views to the contrary, I believe I speak for most of my constituents, including a large majority of the residents who live along both the east and west banks of Weesuck Creek.  I also speak on behalf of a large community of shorebirds, including the gulls, egrets, ospreys and cormorants with whom I make it my business to commune as frequently as possible.  To a bird (I am utterly certain) they are unanimously opposed to this project.

Although it may exceed the word limit for letters to the editor I ask you to consider publication of the following poem that I have written to mark this occasion and through which I am making publicly known my position on this pressing issue.

Ode to Saying No (to the proposed PPD)

For Discovery shall

Hold no sway here

Nor shall luxury

Claim dominion

Over the Pine Barrens

Build as of right

Or leave it in peace

Let the tides alone

Speak about variance

Nor is there need

For abatement given

The fragile state of

Our wetlands paradise

Where all is but lost and  

Then again reclaimed 

Twice every day

What hangs in the balance

Is one of earth’s remaining

Sacred spots Achabaca

Weesuck Creek by name

Sanctuary to shorebird

And songbird alike

Retirees from the city

Distinguished members

Of the building trades

First responders and

Assorted Bonackers

And Shinnecocks all

With their competing claims

We have staked out 

Our lots on this sandbar

Forever certain that

Although the ground 

Continues to shift

Beneath our feet

We will forever resist

The notion that we

May attain any value

Through Discovery

If that means putting 

At risk this fragile beauty

With which we are

Otherwise sustained