C-o-m-p-l-a-c-e-n-c-y, Mountains of the Moon

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

As Covid-19 continues to take its toll across the world, in terms of imposing stress in all shapes and forms, not least on those feeling helpless while their loved ones are left fight the illness, win or lose. Everyone is looking for someone to blame whether it be God, politicians or simply Fate.

Maybe the answer lies closer to home, though, in the human race itself? For years we have all but ignored the warning signs regarding climate change and the consequences for the planet of deforestation, declining animal species, waste disposal etc. … the relationship between one and the other has become increasingly obvious over the years … well, has it not? Clearly not, although it is not too late, even now, to change our behaviour for the better and give survival of the human species a chance.

Pioneers in the field like Sir David Attenborough may have captured the world’s attention, but action requires legislation at both national and local levels and any Governments in any  society - especially one based on the principles of capitalism - will be slow to act for fear of offending its electorate; the latter can protest as much as it likes, but it is unlikely to have the last word which, more often is more likely to take its own rather than any global concerns into account.

Whatever, it is no wonder that depression is widespread and any worldwide inspiration to overcome it as likely to decline as increase until Green Issues become integral to political and social agendas. Listening to the likes of Sir David and nodding our heads in agreement is not enough, and never will be unless we all play our part in translating those nods into action.

In the current climate of human complacency, as far as saving the planet is concerned, we might as well be reaching for the moon; complacency itself, an innate sense of denial, is as good a metaphor as any, I would suggest, for Mountains of the Moon...?

C-O-M-P-L-A-C-E-N-C-Y, MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON 

The mountain demands
I climb it or forever wish I had,
spend the rest of my life
regretting a lack of will-power,
courage, whatever...
(call it what you will) no escape
from the shame of it,
no engagement with mind-body-spirit
for want of inspiration 

The mountain expects
better of me than I give up on it
so soon, and I hear it
taunting me, haunting me by day
and night, urging me
to at least give it a go, shake off
a growing pain and fear,
get a life again, recover peace of mind,
it has to be now or never

I dare turn a deaf ear
to the mountain no more, am taking
my first shaky steps
towards its base, obscured by a mist,
clearing only minimally
as I approach, more significantly
the higher I climb, no easy
path to follow, scared for having no guide,
but a mountain on my side

In its darkest hour, loath to concede defeat,
I am the joie de vivre in every heartbeat

Copyright R N Taber 2020