SURVIVOR

When the lights go out for good

and the few still left have returned

to tribal roots in the ruins, the

academics will dance in smokey

hogans to cast out demons.

We will kill our food

with stones and, just as often,

be the prey of prowling cats.

In our terror, we will create religions

so the thunder will not eat us,

and for something to do after we die.

I wonder what a man who has learned

to wear the skins of animals will think

when he turns to the woman by his side,

and will he know he should go gently

to know her worth?

A Picasso among us will capture

the spirits of deer and antelope

on the cliffs. And when our chieftain

leads us into battle for glory and slaves,

our heros will be sung

by poets.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear Vol
This is a big IF! Should it happen, some of your ideas might actually come to fruition...pretty darn barbaric...but, you're right when you say we must survive when the lights go out.....I hope I'm not around!
Very clever poem indeed, enjoyed reading it.
Warmly, B

[Vol]

Betty,
It is rather terrifying, but I can think of no event that has changed the hearts of men from the time we climbed down out of the trees, found a big stick and snuck up on some poor guy with a banana we wanted.
Vol

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome my friend
Warmly, B

[andrew mitchell]

There will always be someone to control the masses in their image unfortunately. In planet of the apes when Taylor said in a couple of months we'll be running the joint with the mutes was the rational thinking of man until the apes emerged is an example. Enjoyed the write Vol.

[Vol]

Andrew,
Absolutely!
It is not in most people's ambitions to rule the world, but I have been in the presence of people who are intimidating without saying anything at all, and who could demand those around them to act inappropriately. On the other hand, the Celts all over Europe were extremely violent in ways similar to motorcycle gangs and drug cartels. They were without discipline and knew nothing of the value of human life. Theirs is the TRUE nature of the human species. WE have instituted governments and legal systems to protect ourselves from ourselves, but without them we would immediately revert to tribalism, and either be eliminated or commit genocide, because that's what our rational thinking would require.
Vol

[andrew mitchell]

Agree totally Vol.

[Stella Armour]

Strangely enough Vol, i am in the process of reading a series of books by Jean Auel "Earth's Children",
and this write is so much akin to the fantasy ancient tribes who lived just like this..
i was very surprised to putb my kindle book down just now and almost continue the story here :)

[Vol]

Stella,
I think they even made a movie out of one of her books, and of course, I saw "Caveman" with Ringo in it. I began thinking about the thin veneer of civilization we have imposed on our species and know we have done nothing to change our hearts. When it really does hit the fan, humanity will return to savagery just to gain food for survival. No one would share outside the tribe, money will have no meaning... Humans are not very nice at bottom.
Vol