Self inflicted injury

Old men are asleep in chairs,

dreaming of tragedy,

mankind's small epitome

and the moon blood red,

like the Bible said;
as Lemming like,
we turn our eyes to the sky,

though only for the finale,

as the distraction of 9 to 5
becomes of no account
and the concern of the priest

rules paramount.

And then, what of afterwards?

Discuss, if you will class,

the daily life of Amoeba Proteus, 

the supposedly simplest life form; 

yet masters of asexual mitosis.

Completely resistant to radiation,

nuclear oblivion no more

than a passing irritation to them,

(Einstein eat your heart out.)

They would simply continue,

with the higher hand perhaps

changing a few things around,

dismissing that aberrant warlike gene

accidentally programmed into the first attempt;

and perhaps a few hundred thousand 

years later, along lopes second time around,

hopefully a little less hairy than before.   

Whatever the eventual outcome,

I will still prefer apples to oranges,
red wine to white,
a leaf spiraling

the industry of ants,
fish darting;

and my sweet little dog Holly

will always love me,

her faith greater than mine in the 

survival of our species.

After all, who would open the tin

if I were not around;

if there was no sound,

save, as Paul Simon put it,

'The sound of silence.' 

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Dogs have it simple...they just love...but the world is so complicated now...we learn too much and there is too much technology...oh for a simpler time again...and yet what a wonderful world it would be if we could do it over in simple terms, but without the war...
I love S&G...they were the reason I started writing poetry, along with my best friend Jane in college, also a wonderful poet.
This is maybe my favorite ever of yours...Just simplicity, faith and love.
"Let's go back , let's go back, let's go way on way back then"( Aretha F.)
j.

[Beccy]

Among others, I grew up with Simon and Garfunkel; they were and remain my father's firm favourites and to me Paul Simon reigns lyrically supreme.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and even though Simon recorded these two songs solo, when they get together and sing "Slip Slidin' Away" and "American Tune"
wow.

[SkinlessFrank]

This is a gem. Reminds me that time measured in evolutionary-geological stretches not human units is the real stuff of existence and so better enjoy the moment, the brief glimpse we are given of beauty and light.

[emmajoy]

' Whatever the eventual outcome, - I will still prefer apples to oranges, - red wine to white, - a leaf spiraling - the industry of ants, - fish darting; ..)

Academic wit garlanded by words set to your own music... you do it every time! Seems you can visualise the succession of history in all its convoluted forms, crass to charismatic, and yet near end with the words heading this review. Simple said, simplicity felt is what makes both heart and mind feel as they should. Your thoughts, your knowledge, inevitably create something precious. In that in this, you most definitely have. Am I allowed to cheer and stamp my feet? Too late a response, I have!

[Paul Bell]

Got a feeling the insects will still be here when man has finally annihilated themselves.
In saying that, Holly will still need fed, and S and G will still sound great.
It will be an interesting few months ahead now that Boris is the captain of the Titanic.
Life jackets at the ready, or will we just not bother.

[Beccy]

Captain of the Titanic; most apt. :)) I was thinking the other day that if anyone qualified for the sobriquet 'intelligent cretin,' it's dear old Boris. Or am I just being unfair.

[Paul Bell]

Sounds about right to me. lol

[Cherrie Palmer]

I will hone in on the latter
half of this fine expression and say.
The blind and loyal love,of man's, na woman's best friend has always been faithful and true. The poets fist fan. A wagging tale for our applause and patiently waits for dinner.

[Neville]

I have been waiting for you to post these words since forever, I knew they would come, I felt it maybe longer ago than I am prepared to admit.. even to myself.. and tho quite different from all the different posts you have ever posted here, each of them unique & enjoyed by the way.. these particular words stand out and above them.. Not sure why, but they do, and I feel that a wait is behind me rather than beyond me and I am happy to lose myself in the silence of yet to be writ poetry..

[Beccy]

I pray it never happens Nigel; but just in case I have started instructing Holly in the art of the tin opener. :)))

[Neville]

Best be prepared innit :)

Neville

[CD Campbell]

I sure enjoy the flowing wit of your prose from line to line. From the bible to amoebas to Paul Simon, you have always had that knack to pull things together and create something purely original. It's a great poem.
I'm sure Tom Selleck would disagree with you about the option of being less hairy the second time around. A lot of men would give up fingers for a mustache like his. Eh. But as far as our warlike nature; we are a product of the biology of life that feeds upon life. As a man I have accepted the fact that I maybe a hulking, thoughtless brute, with an occasional flash of poetic insight. But there is that subtle beauty of the black widow spider that can't be denied. I hope you're enjoying the time away. CD

[Beccy]

Hairy is good; but more in a Teddy Bear way than caveman. :))

[Ken Simm.]

So unique and not only becuse it mentions oranges.
This takes the readers mind and lets it flow. Line after line of consumate beauty. Warm and knowing, sad and gentle but always flowing. So many topics that all seem sure they should be there. And are. Gorgeous work.

[Chris Shaw]

I must admit I was feeling quite gloomy after listening to last night's news about the provocation in the gulf. You took me to many places with this write Beccy and most of them were joyful. Simon and Garfunkel, red vino not white, the unconditional love of our doggie friends, just a few. Beautifully written. I loved the direction your thoughts. Excellent wirk.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Actually, I think amoeba proteae are vastly overrated. Sure, they can hang tough when the big one is dropped, but don't count on them for stimulating conversation. As to the warlike gene, of such is great soccer made. On the other hand, I prefer red over white myself.

[Beccy]

I would still prefer a little less hairy next time around. :))