Blur, Root and Branch

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

“Expectation is the root of all heartache.” – proverb (often attributed to Shakespeare)

Sometimes we see what we expect to see rather than what is there; in much the same way, our feelings are similarly clouded by not feeling what we expect to feel.

Another old saying about looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope springs to mind. The rogue root and branch in nature and human nature plays up to just such imperfections; we fail to spot them because we do not expect to find them there, any more than we are willing to see imperfections in ourselves.

Invariably, blurred vision will eventually clear and rogue elements exposed once common sense alerts us to using the telescope correctly, often than not with the assistance of those better able to focus than ourselves on whatever it may be that we are gravely misperceiving.

Nothing new about either sentiment, I agree, but, hopefully, as good a preamble to the poem as any...?

BLUR, ROOT AND BRANCH

How came by first seeds
to take root and nurture us ever after
through the various seasons
of such time and personal space,
as we can but suppose
was a well-intended force for good,
advantaging kindred also
in woods and gardens, in fields or wherever
thought best by Earth Mother

Root and branch, though,
rely in no small part on circumstances
and surroundings to encourage
growth and such appearance as likely
to appeal any who tend, observe
and take to heart, or not, as the case
may well be, even allowing
for any unforeseen flaws, in the taking care of it,
seeing its basic needs well met

Intended to bear such fruit
compatible with whatever circumstances
and surroundings they grow,
these may well change as time passes,
fewer admirers raising glasses
to toast any finer attributes, but seeing ways
of cashing in on such flaws
as lend temptations of flesh and blood credulity
among certain powers that be

Rogue elements, they mean
nothing personal to whom any harm be done,
led on by various permutations
that have abused their originals
across generations,
inclined to play fast and loose with nature,
the better to take their cue
from assorted but well-established powers that be,
self-interest, ever a first priority

In nature and humanity,
find various rogue species going their own way,
disrespectful of any code,
leading its society, unknowingly, by the nose,
yet, their come-uppance
assured, one way or another, caught out by chance,
word, deed or gesture, enough to alert
their contemporaries to such goings-on as needs must
be exposed for betraying its trust

For every rogue root undermining a species’ well-being,
find many, many more well worth the nurturing

 Copyright R. N. Taber, 2022