Primitive man
didn't understand
the nature of the universe
and developed superstitions
when answers were needed
to make sense of life.
When tribes gave way
to church and state
the new leaders
promptly took charge
of ignorant fears
and substituted faith
in the current rulers
for simple explanations,
leaving us to digest
designated confusion.
Politics goes on,
business as usual
for those of us
who can participate,
while the disadvantaged,
those who watched bank bailouts
while their homes were foreclosed,
just like the oppressed
in any other age
mostly suffering in silence,
while the wealthy revel.
A chill wind
pokes at people,
rudely reminding us
with shivering bodies
to put on sweaters.
The days are still warm.
We still go outdoors
lightly clad,
but migrating birds
heading south
pause in the city
for nourishment,
then fly off,
another sign
we do not notice,
summer is over.
We don't know
who invented civilization,
abandoning nature,
but it was a dramatic change
from a simple life,
hunting, gathering
that made things better for some,
worse for others.
We don't know who invented religion,
but it was a drastic change
from invoking nature
that confused some,
changed things for others.
The growing scope
of human endeavors
fostered bigger cities,
bloodier wars,
clever intellectuals
telling us everything,
sincere philosophers
explaining everything,
serious economists
calculating everything,
slick politicians
corrupting everything,
dedicated scientists
inventing everything.
But no one asks
were we better off
twelve thousand years ago
before the rise of cities
complicated existance.
An unpublished collection: 'Do As I Say, 'Age Old Story', 'Cold Notice', 'Rest Stop', 'The Age of Glibness'. 'Transitions' looks at the rapid and gradual changes taking place in our society.