• an Earth Day message
• two tankas
• one prayer
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An Earth Day message:
These are some thoughts I would like to share on this Earth Day 2010. It is from my heart, and expresses my great concern for this planet earth, and all of us who are traveling aboard her. If you are not in the mood for heavier fare, you can skip down to the poetry below this message.
For the rest of you, I see our global society becoming more and more desensitized to killing, suffering, the dignity of women, our failing stewardship of this planet, and the value of life in general.
Popular art reflects culture; it has in all of history. The ongoing proliferation of movies, video games, music, comic books, our dress and personal trappings, TV, even the TV commercials; this all cast a disturbing reflection of the direction a core section of the people of the earth are moving. And the less than subtle movement to cast doubt, even ridicule, on those who believe that the care of this world needs our attention NOW! One might argue that any of these individually is perhaps moot, but taken as whole, it begs to be examined — I feel.
Our children and adults alike, spend hours playing graphic video games in which the sole purpose is bloodletting — maiming and murdering, in the most violent and gruesome ways. There are many wonderful video games, but the breadth and depth of the “snuff†games is cause to pay attention.
The gladiator-like fighting cultures that have arisen in recent years is something to look at. These are no longer the staged violence of pro wrestling, in itself a bit unsettling – these are real blood for the sake of blood. In Rome, the rise of gladiators was a sign of the accelerating decline of the Roman Empire. We may not be there yet, but what does this current, rampant thirst for blood have to tell us?
Another litmus that has always reflected the culture, is the impact of man’s religious constructs. Too often, the role they play is the manipulation and repression of his freedoms. I have nothing against the numerous religious constructs man has created. For those so drawn, they are a place for the safety and certainty they require.
However, when radical religious minorities begin to attempt to dictate and rule the masses, imposing their constructed values and fundamentalism, especially when they claim it is the will of god – we’ve got to take serious notice.
These are the signs that point to the stripping of freedom of responsible individual thought and personal rights – and essentially, eradicating the essence of personal responsibility. Today, with the rise of the repressive extreme fundamentalism that we see around the globe, it is akin to the eve of the dark ages. I don’t think we will descend to those extreme depths, but what does it mean when we have so many who would lead us there – even if, in some cases, it is unwittingly?
I so want to champion optimism — but I cannot and will not turn a blind eye to the signs I see. None of us had better do so. We all need to become proactive for balance. That is the key. Balance the extremes of this world; ecological, social, moral, financial, and the like.
To be proactive I have started this creative blog, Image & Verse, to begin, in my small way, to penetrate the root sensitivity of our society. I firmly believe the embrace and expression of creativity is the key to elevating our human species.
I write poetry, speaking in sparse focused voice at times, entertaining lofty and beautiful thoughts at others, also embracing our human sensitivity and sensuality, and holding a mirror to reflect what is beautiful, or to reflect what I see as troubling — because I believe poetry has the power to penetrate the human psyche to greater depths than any written form.
Poetry actually has the ability to alter people on a level that strict written word often cannot. If I write an essay, I make you think; maybe even alter your opinion. I write a poem, I have the chance to make you feel something, in your core – that can alter your hardwired being. I believe this.
I think we urgently need to probe to these depths of the human psyche now, to send out these altering sparks, because I think there is trouble brewing, on some fronts, that could have dire consequence for the long-range future – of the planet and humankind.
I also write poetry to celebrate, to lift up my own spirit, to have hope, to see possibility – to protect my personal sanity.
So let us dance, sing, embrace the beauty and the miracle of life and this magnificent world in which we live, and seek joy and truth – but let us not be a Nero. Our Rome is beginning to smolder.
–and so it goes–
…Rob
•
man seeks dominion
frail balance has been disturbed
gaia is weeping
man clings to his arrogance
denial does not absolve
•
seeds push seeking sun
sky is pulling with spring rain
gaia yields new life
if man is responsible
the balance can be restored
•
mother gaia you embrace us
carry us safely
as we hurtle thousands of miles
every hour of every day
through infinite space
you provide for us our every need
sustain our bodies with your abundance
nurture our spirits with your beauty
your endless wonders
your need is simple
that we live in balance with your rhythms
with our fellow travelers on this amazing journey
that we know gratitude
humble stewards of your countless gifts
for millennium upon millennium
we lived in harmony
attentive
reverent
but we’ve grown arrogant
foolishly
we believe we have dominion over you
over all in your realm
in pursuit of intellect we lost our sense
our equilibrium
lost our way
even as we watch you suffer
we cling to our ego
to our destructive delusion of supremacy
we do not see
do not understand
please forgive us
be patient
do not forsake us
we can learn
we must learn
love for you is still strong
among your wayward children
this voice of love cries out
please listen
it resonates more loudly with the passing of time
precious mother gaia
grant us time to again find our way
our humility
our center
the balance
This certainly brought me down to earth! Some sober thoughts. It reminded me of a poem I wrote a few years ago that one person can make a difference.
http://ingeborgsblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/old-poem-one-at-time.html
I really appreciated your “heavier fare” – could have written much the same.
Well said, Rob. I love the image of the Gaia as well.
Balance and reverence are what it’s all about. Humanity has become a cancer on the planet and greed has driven our species into a descent of self destruction. We have taken Mother Earth hostage. No other species would risk its own self destruction and death of all other living things, but humanity. I pray to the Earth for forgiveness.
Thanks, Rob!
~Mark
it is hard to imagine
us changing our patterns enough
i hope we can
Rob, you’ve overwhelmed me today. Please may I print all of this, to keep on my wall, reminding me every day of what really matters. I too have written several poems on these lines, but I truly feel that your prose says what needs to be said more fully. Please try and get this published other than solely on the internet – it should be writ in letters bold and large in an international journal.
ViV
I didn’t skip your Earth Day Message. Some heartfelt and passionate words there. We have become so obsessed with the concepts of success and achievement that we forget that, as people, we are a collective body, not just a big group of individuals (who want others to think like us).
I salute your efforts in spreading awareness and join you in your ‘Prayer For Balance’.
I can’t think of anything to add to this other than “Bravo, sir.” Well spoken.
I so appreciate what you wrote, both the Message and the poems.
I feel the same about poetry and visual art. I feel the same about speaking out. We who have voices, must.
Not much more to say here, Rob! It is imperative that everyone take a stand. These two truths I have always taught in the classroom – “You’re either part of the problem or part of the solution,” and “Apathy is not an option.”
Blessings to you always!
Glad to see this sentiment… a happy Earth Day to you as well! We all must do our part.
you said lots Rob…Agree…living out here..soooooooooo close to nature…and appreciating…taking care of this planet …every day is earth day around here….so well written…great poems also
Oh Rob, this hit my heart