Nature and Human Nature, a Love-Hate Relationship

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

Various species of the natural world - excluding humankind - are more likely to follow their instincts than make reasoned choices; it has to be said though, that we human beings are often out of step with reason and inclined to let our emotions get the better of us, for better or worse.

I once went to a local variety show which, for me, was spoiled by its two compères trying to score points off one another throughout. The audience clearly thought this was an act, and lapped it up. As it happened, I knew better. It was an excellent show, marred only (for me) by these two. (Sometimes, I guess, ignorance really is the better part of bliss.)

Years on, I recall this occasion wherever I see nature and human nature at odds with one another and lookers-on mostly accepting if not applauding it as part of the show. After all, how much better for everyone to sit back and take life as it comes; finding fault can be such a tiresome distraction.

There are times, though, when we need to speak up about how and why we feel let down by events if only for those in charge to tell us (more often than not) to mind our own business and let them get on with theirs. But isn't it our business, too, when we have paid our dues? Oh, and why shouldn't we have the last word if only (hopefully) to prevent the need for repetition?

Where human behaviour (good or bad) directly -  even indirectly - affects us, we need to make it our business. Whatever, of course, the show must go on. We may hate the storms that ruin our crops and spoil a child's birthday treat, but a kinder rain encourages the crops to grow and there will be kinder days for other treats ...


NATURE AND HUMAN NATURE, A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP

Among winter snows,
a cruel north wind's howling,
natural world dozing,
ever mindful of its cue to wake
once the Song of Spring
rings true, ready to engage
the human spirit

Where forests once sang
odes to life, love, the spiritual
nature of new beginnings
and hope (yet) - a human race
up for sleepwalking
through all it misty yesterdays
finds barely a pulse

Run tiger. Run, rhino…
and other species menaced
by trigger fingers
in Big Business pies cooking
to a turn in mansions
the nouveau riche mistake
for social icons

Enter, summer storms able
to provide even parched earth
with sustenance enough
to provide for its keepers, if only
in the shorter term,
yet cannot prevent wildfires
raging at the uninsured

Midsummer hols, destined
to linger, fall prey to autumnal
appetites for make-believe,
lost opportunities and any regrets
left chasing our tomorrows
into winters of but playacting
at contentment

Among winter snows,
a cruel north wind's howling,
natural world dozing,
ever mindful of its cue to wake
once the Song of Spring
rings true, ready to engage
the human spirit

Copyright R. N. Taber 2016; 20120