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# Planting poetry in place of trees
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/planting-poetry-in-place-of-trees-editor/
- Published: 2007-08-22T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T02:37:12.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Helen Fiske Santa Monica*

(Re: “Ficus fiasco continues,” Aug. 14) There was a man in our town and wondrous wise was he. He came upon a great idea: “Let’s chop down every tree.”

He went around to share his views and this is what he said: “When all those nasty trees are gone, we’ll put up signs instead.”

All the townsmen then sat down (some seemed to take a nap) and voted “yes” to change the town into a dusty tourist trap.

Streets that once provided shade on sizzling summer days now easier accommodate a busy tourist trade.

Merchants thrive, while locals mourn the passing of the trees. Tourists who will soon be gone don’t share our memories.

I, for one, will walk no more on Second Street and Fourth. Good-bye, farewell to Michael’s store. Hello, Montana, I’ll go north.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 22, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082207.pdf?ref=smdp.com)