—∞—
I’m thinking about the story A man and a woman And an apple Was that a tale of our beginning Or of our end?—∞—
Down by the lake On the shore By the lake Lies a pebble One of millions, actually Rounded Smoothed Deposited By a glacier Long, long ago Where was it yesterday? There or nearby? Moved maybe By a wind-blown wave Or a passing boat’s wake If it was moved An irreversible change To the entire universe Took place Tiny, but irreversible What about us? What are we doing? How’s our piece, Our allotted portion Of the universe, doing? Irreversible change I’m thinking about sunlight Stored sunlight, stored energy As in an apple As in coal, gas, oil Why is the oil there? The coal? The gas? Is it for us? If so, to do what? Are these tangible things, These stored solar energies, Here for our good? Or are they the forbidden fruit An apple … a poisoned apple Perhaps that mythical tale Two people and an apple Is a story of our end, not of our beginning A story about hubris and selfishness now Rather than providing for those who follow One bite or too many Perhaps An abdication of our stewardship? Our misunderstanding of dominion? A failure to faithfully respond?© 2013 Thomas W. Cummins
Tags: Energy conservation, Greenhouse effect, Nature, personal, poetry, Religion, Social Justice, Stewardship
In a dim light... 
June 3, 2013 at 4:32 pm |
Oh wow Tom – this was incredible to read… leaves me with so many questions – two people and an apple.. the test, and so many others since… and did we pass or fail? Will we ever know?
Thank you for sharing such a profound thoughts put into wonderful verse this way… Much Love to you ~ Robyn
June 14, 2013 at 1:07 am |
The irreversible change to the universe with the movement of a single pebble, wow, that is profound.
Your writing reminds of the irreversible changes we make every day with – ‘Our misunderstanding of dominion’ – ‘A failure to faithfully respond.’ – This is a powerful piece of writing. Thank you Tom. I love to read your thoughts.