Conscious

A Story by Nathan Spark

Self’s Impact

I woke and stretched. Gazed across the land. Smelled, touched, heard and felt.
I could change things, rearrange them. What a wonderful hand I was dealt.

I rule the world. The buffalo drinks at the water hole. A cold dog lies in the sun.
I brought water to my shelter from the heat. I sharpened the spear and made the gun.

You are just like me. Sometimes I want what’s yours. You invade my space.
We want to be safe, full and warm. We can work well together and breed all over the place.

I grew food and made my own fire. We sparked a revolution.
Animals for food, clothes, warmth and light. Our imagination the final solution.

I use whatever I can find. From invention to mass production.
We learn and improve and mate. We can’t escape progress’ seduction.

More comfort, bigger, better and faster.
I believe what I want, oblivious to potential disaster.

The disease from burning, carving, injecting, testing, and bombing is constant.
The garbage, pollution, stench, storms and sickness can send us down in an instant.

Flying high, looking down on my consumption. I’m a parasite, let’s not confuse.
We’ve poisoned rivers and streams. There’s nothing alive we won’t abuse.

I can’t control my want for sex, comfort and food.
Without them, I murder, rape and pillage when I’m not just being rude.

Restraint? Love more? Take only enough to not make a mess?
We always want greener grass, just confess.

If I was selfless, I wouldn’t care. I’d fill only my basic need.
But I’d be a misfit, trampled by your faith that we need to breed.

© 2018 Nathan Spark

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Reviews

Kenny N

I have never considered actually breaking stanzas in the middle like you have done here, but it does wonderful things for the emotion and flow. Well written, excellent piece to read.