Are we intelligent? Just claiming so doesn't make it true. Which of our deeds on earth have been Earth-Friendly, Life-Friendly? The only thing we do with exceptional acumen is - KILL and DESTROY!
Claim if you may,
that man is supreme,
that no being created
as unique as he,
To what use is intellect
if employed to stem,
mind and nature
woman and the poor?
Claim if you may
that man rules the world,
but what’s to a king
whose subjects rueful.
To what use is intellect
if used to maim
innocent children
and onlookers passive?
Claim if you may
that we own the world,
inherited by war
on man and beast.
To what use is intellect
if her you violate,
the very mother
that gave all of us life?
Claim! Claim! Claim!
Assert and demand!
The more you say it,
believable it gets!
For who would want
the Universe to know,
we have been digging,
centuries of graves.
© Nalini Hebbar/openmind/2009 - all rights reserved
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14 COMMENTS:
Men and women have been equally responsible for the menace...and today its corporations and governments -- It will get better the time we stop our double standards - But then who can stop it Nalini - when the whole sytem is based on interdependence?
But then when its overexploitation; nature reacts in most atrocious ways - and today though awareness is all around, men and women stand helpless in the face of natural calamities,
Nice blog, Nalini...reacting to social issues through poetry - appreciate it :)
wishes,
devika
"today its corporations and governments --" by today I meant, past few decades of contemporary history,
wishes,
devika
Now you inspire a little poem - if you would read at Abstract Deductions blog - "mountain path" :)
wishes,
devika
They make others believe they are intelligent.
Nalini...excuse me as i have a question to Rajesh -
is it wrong to intelligent?
thats a blessing I thought...though man seldom puts it to good use --
wishes,
devika
Hmmm... intense and meaningful as always...I agree with you, but the one who creates the mess has to clear it as well..So, let us work together to get it back on track, the ecological way!!
What would you call a person who devises millions of methods to kill himself and his home? What would you call a person who is blinded by greed and refuses to understand his mistakes?...surely he is not intelligent. We punish our children for the mistakes they commit so that they learn not to repeat them but we continue to make mistakes on the planet we have borrowed from our children. Intelligent?
Nalini....this is something I talk with my mother...and truly, from the depths of my heart, sometimes I feel its "intelligent" not to bring children into this world...but as a woman thats not my choice,
we educate....but we too are human beings. Not Gods and Godesses...to see what lies for us ahead or our children...
I am one who follows frugal living principles....i know it doesn't make much of a difference in our world...but still i can only do that,
would like to know what you suggest...though i believe another person is entitled to his/her choice at any point in time, if he/she isn't violating an other's life,
in fact its a much much more vast topic...beyond individuals and choices,
wishes,
devika
*** I meant to say, what lies ahead for our children...
Austerity and minimum wastage...with food, paper, water, electricity...I think these are within our control.
I am reminded of the story of a little girl who spent her day on a beach throwing starfishes that got grounded on the beach, back into the sea. A passer-by asked her why she was wasting her time since there were too many washed up that day. Her answer was- "To the one I threw back, it has made a difference.
I think, every tiny bit each one of us does, helps in the long run.
And yes, by frugal living principles I meant that what you said, Nalini -
And about the story: I myself have used the story as part of a programme for children....I read it as a story about a Mexican man by the sea,
Rest, hope for better is always a good thing...and doing our part as much as we know,
wishes,
devika
The ironic reality of life is right in front of our very eyes, yet we ask for wonders and believe that they are possible in the godforsaken world we live in.
Claim if you may
that we own the world,
inherited by war
on man and beast.
Wonderful.
Very well written :)
nice post
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