Nature

Man's penultimate folly

Was the creation of nature.

Man's ultimate folly

Was the creation of self.

The distinction that we draw

Between nature and man

Is the only thing that is

Truly artificial.

We imagined ourselves

As separate from nature,

It was something to tame.

Something to conquer.

Something to subdue.

Something to defeat.

But we were battling

A part of ourselves.

The Earth bears many fruits;

We are not different.

Our towering skyscrapers

Are just as natural

As the delicate strength

Of a spider's web

Or the rustic beauty

Of a robin's nest.

Those who flee the cities

To "get back to nature"

Are just fooling themselves

Because we are nature.

You cannot run away

From what you really are.

What they're trying to do

Is get back to themselves.

Author's Note

The idea of nature as something separate from man and something we need to fight and control is a western idea, partly from the notions of a creator god that made us and put us in the world, and partly from the notion of evolution where we need to dominate to survive.
The eastern view of oneness is quite different, and acknowledges that all of us are fruits of the earth.

Reviews

[Aethereal]

Yes, there’s much folly in refusing to recognize one’s humble origins. I was inspired to write this tiny gift poem for you which you may keep as your own:

Folly

Wouldn’t it be folly
that fills the gods with mirth
if a growth of holly
should try to tame the Earth?

Wouldn’t it be folly
that fills workers with mirth
if a wooden dolly
thought trees were less in worth?

[radio raven]

Word of the day is now folly. I like.

[Ashley Armstrong]

That was beautifully written

[Shaquana Adams]

Beautifully written. I enjoyed! :)

-QuanaWana

[Brittany Zedalis]

I'm really enjoying your work. This poem speaks the truth, and in a beautiful way. Wonderful job! :]

[Vidya Bacchus]

Very true .We cannot run away from who and what we are.A very inspiring write RD :)

[melissa]

So far your poems are amazing keep up the great work and keep sending me more to read i love reading them

[Sami Khalil]

A great poem and message. Pen on...:)...................