Here’s a poem from a gentleman of my close acquaintance, who, 16 years after we first met, continues to surprise me.
He’s also the master of Marigold House (at least in human terms – we all know Bandit rules all), father of my child, and a poet in his own right.
In this poem, he muses on evolutionary theory, and part of posting here arises from his curiosity about connecting with other poets writing about evolution and science.
Although the Judeo-Christian concept of ‘The Fall’ features prominently, this work also touches notes that resonate with the concept Mitayuki Oyasin – All My Relations – that
we are all related, in the larger song of life.
The Song of the Naked Ape
by Douglas Barrett
Long long ago, when the world was young,
an ape tribe lived in the jungle
they lived their ape lives
they chased after mates
they loved their ape loves
they seethed their ape hates
from ancient green canopy’s branches we swung
life was good for a tribe in the jungle.
What was the misfortune, the bad luck, the shame
that drove one tribe from the jungle?
No one can say how
one tribe of apes fell
familiar heaven
to mysterious hell
from our canopy torn, forced to stake a new claim
on the prairie beyond the jungle.
Long, long ago, under skies open wide
a wolf pack lived on the prairie
couples for life
mice and fowl they ate
but hunt as a pack
and no prey was too great.
howl at the moon, then snuggle at night
life was good for a pack on the prairie.
Evolution is cruel for those that behave
like an ape tribe out on the prairie
generations of sorrow
the storied stones told
how Nature’s hard hand
crafts the new from the old
survive or die trying, the choice that she gave
made us live like wolves on the prairie.
Once outcasts, now masters, with civilised ways
we’re so far from the jungle and prairie
but the wolf and the ape, both
still speak in my heart
says one, ‘Fierce and loyal!’
says one, ‘Play it smart!’
I’m guided by both as I wander this maze
never leaving the jungle and prairie.
***
Prairiepomes 