Sic transit gloria hominis

I  wrote this in the mind's eye

whilst driving in my car,

so small beneath the paling sun

that seemed so very far;

and as the wheels kept spinning

from beginning, to the now,

I thought about and pondered 

both of the why and how.

That life is mostly mystery,

like why a wave seeks out the shore?

Instinctive knows it's resting place,

never thinks to ask for more.

How each and every species,

save us, knows naught of greed

and thus remain contented,

eschewing pointless need;

whilst we, though clever breathing

slip diminished through each day,

offering no angles to the wind,

mere liquid cast as clay.

For we are of suits and citadels,

clothed mostly in disguise,

whereas all others know this earth,

share its secrets without guise;

and never crave the spotlight,

false fortune, praise or fame,

or leave a disenchanted scar

to show the way they came.

And when the snow has covered,

fresh things will sniff the air,

new buds will bloom, mountains 

will rise and chart each day's affair;

whilst in the furthest reaches

we still seek the dark unknown,

but only by our little death

can it be ever shown. 

Reviews

[Willys Watson]

I love this and your Latin choice of a title, though it could sadly, equally be called 'Sic transit gloria mundi' because of what humans are doing to the Earth.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

in the overall scheme of things...we are but an insignificant blip on the radar...but with or without us life goes on...nature keeps refreshing itself....species cling to survival....so well played out here in this excellent poem...clever in its subtle rhyme...yes, we may seek the unknown, but won't find it until the end...then maybe we will discover the secret of life and the universe...maybe then.

this poem also hints of what the bible talks about with the so-called 200 years of peace before the end comes....when we might all get along...and there could actually be peace.
j.