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Open Poetry #42
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WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218


0 posted 2008-04-04 12:28 PM


An abandoned plastic bag
dances ‘round and ‘round  
in the Autumn breeze:
Is there life in this dance?

No, some would assert –
life begins at the biological level
or they’ll say it begins
in the realm of self-motivation.

This begs the question:
what is “self-motivation”?
Is the wind not self-motivated?
Movement and air – movement with air –
and air gives life:
can something “dead” instill life?

It’s easy to buy into facile explanations:
easy to think of “life”
as not being part of what is consumed;
what we ingest, step on, build with:
If we do not know life at its basic source
we don’t have to feel responsible
for destroying a “lifeless” world, do we?

If we knew “all of it” as life,
we could interact with it all
as if it was all a part of ourselves
we could be empathic;
but wouldn’t that destroy
the basic assumptions required
to live the life we currently enjoy?
Wouldn’t that tend to spoil
the fun and the games?

Yet, is it not true that our fun and games
are destroying this world?
When it’s dead and gone,
where will we be?  
Miraculously moved into another game?
Or simply very dead and very gone?

© Copyright 2008 Sharran WindWalker - All Rights Reserved
Seoulair
Senior Member
since 2008-03-27
Posts 807
Seoul S.Korea
1 posted 2008-04-04 01:32 PM


"An abandoned plastic bag"
What a beginning verse. My first reaction is
oh, we ugly human!!!
Wonderful poem. love the read.
sigh, sigh, sigh.

gilead
Senior Member
since 2008-03-10
Posts 1067
nevada, USA
2 posted 2008-04-04 01:38 PM


There is a strictly empirical and scientific concept of life, and there is a metaphysical view. I try to remain open minded and see life on both a physical and spiritual level. I really like the way your wonderful poem sets forth the question.

Art

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
3 posted 2008-04-04 09:54 PM


Well, if this poem doesn't start one thinking I don't know what will. I greatly enjoyed this thought provoking write and found much in it that agrees with my own thinking.
                                    Ida

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
4 posted 2008-04-05 08:34 AM


Wonderfully ponderful LIFE write, WW.
Indeed, we cherish it, use/abuse it, discard it even as we cling to it in our final moments,
begging it not to depart. And even in the end, we tend to believe we OWN it.

ArtSolstice
Member
since 2007-03-18
Posts 498

5 posted 2008-04-05 04:43 PM


That is a perceptive comment, Midnitesun, and yes, this is a write to turn around in one's mind like a prism.
Larrysmom
Senior Member
since 2008-04-03
Posts 533
Florida, USA
6 posted 2008-04-05 04:50 PM


Windwalker,

Your poem made me want to hug the Earth…

Tammy<333

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