Source and Destination

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

The same reader who asked why I often use the expression mind-body-spirit in poems and word search labels rather than mind, body and spirit has also asked why past-present-future appears as one instead of three words. Again, hopefully, the poem below might help the reader to understand my point of view as I am not, as the reader suggests, simply taking poetic licence.

Does anyone really doubt that past, present and future have a significant bearing on the human and natural landscapes that comprise planet Earth, 0000 - 2019 and counting …?

Oh, but counting or countdown … and to what?

This poem is a kenning.

SOURCE AND DESTINATION

Human history, helping to shape

who we are, how we think,

all we believe in – religion or none,

children of Earth Mother,

going with nature as human nature

cajoles, or losing faith

in a socio-cultural consciousness

bogged down in stereotypes recycled

over centuries

Austere shades of contemporaneity

conspiring to project fake news

on social media, aiding and abetting

the worse symptoms

of prejudice, fear, even hate crime

on Everyman’s doorstep,

projecting, in turn, a sense of alarm

following shades of red sunrise to sunset

virtually incognito

Moving on, trusting in the true spirit

of progress to play fair with nature

and human nature, if taking on board

what Hope, Faith and Charity

have to say means providing a future

least likely to be disempowered

by changes of climates and all sorts,

of socio-cultural politics and religion bent

on blaming ghosts

I am past-present-future, making of nature

and human nature … whatever

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2019