Sunset at Portmarnock, Dublin 13
Ramblings on a park bench overlooking the sea
On a bench by the sea
A man watches waves rise
and dissolve back into the ocean
like humans on earth
His breath condenses
And thoughts rise and dissolve in his mind
As electro-chemical signals pulse through neural networks
Creating pathways in his crackling brain
We are made of recycled matter
that was once a part of other plants and animals
And we comprise ever changing configurations of cells
Through which life and energy flow
This cellular pulse is part of a worldwide continuum
Guided by a common genetic code
Which connects us to the entire history of life
And back to the fusion of hydrogen and helium
At the dawn of time
We are interdependent and belong in the world
And like roots and trees
We are open interfaces
Between inner and outer ecosystems
Thus we are dependent upon essential living viruses and bacteria
That continually permeate our porous skin
And live within and upon us
And we are dependent too upon the delicate symbiotic interplay
Of nature’s self sustaining systems
As forests, rivers, oceans, glaciers and soil
Nourish and maintain us
Photosynthesis is the yang of respiration
Trees and plants recycle our exhaled carbon breath
And we take in air, food and water
And expel energy in heat and waste
Uniquely we also transcend our biological nature
Sharing a world of meaning and value
As waves of sound and electromagnetic energy
Link our neural networks with others
And we have created a virtual web
Where it can be unclear where one mind ends and another begins
And there is a complex physical web
Of industry, technology and systems
As lines, grids, routes and roads
Connect humanity like the veins and arteries of a vast central nervous system
Of cooperative global endeavour.
Our achievements are immense
But civilisations and species have risen and fallen throughout history
And verifiable science shows that we are approaching a crest
Of irreversible tipping points
And the signs are all around
In habitat decline, species loss, melting ice sheets, acidic oceans
Disappearing coral reefs, desertification, tropical deforestation
Water shortages, forced relocation, civil unrest and refugees
Perhaps Ozymandias wears a sharply cut suit
And speaks smoothly of the necessity of the way things are
But if we don’t turn the tide
We risk drowning or being stranded on the shore
For in depleting natural resources
And polluting the earth, the water and the air
We destroy ourselves
The system shock of a global viral pandemic
Has laid bare our fragility and contingency
But it has also shown that new mindsets, behaviours and paradigms are possible
We can broaden our perspective
To see our common humanity in nature
And through global collaboration and solidarity
Decarbonise and regenerate
Rewild and replenish
And use the abundance of natural energy
In the sun, wind, waves and earth
The future of humanity depends upon it
And although it might be unlikely
It’s worth fighting for
But It’s a lot to be thinking about
For a man who’s breath quietly ebbs and flows
On a bench by the sea
Pic by Fran
very nice Fran,
+1 :)
We are many of the regenerative bio organisms mentioned in the poem, but we are more than sentient beings wrapped up dependently in a global ecosystem. We are spiritual beings with free wills that can turn to good or evil depending on our moral orientations.
are we looking for a philosophical thread or religious, what do you understand by spiritual, genuine question
Spirit/spiritual are words found in secular and religious discourse. It’s not either or – you can be philosophical or religious or a bit of both.
just wondered where you were coming from
I don’t know where you are coming from either. I was just responding to Fran Cassidy’s pensive poem.
chill, I was just being curious as to what you meant by your comment, tease out your assertion about spirituality, it’s a concept I like to get other people’s point of view on it’s called a conversation,
have a nice day Gabby