Awe
•
they rise
gargantuan
icons
of the clever human
they vibrate
with the rush
and chaos
of synapse
and sinew
they hum
with
networked urgency
data
outdistancing
comprehension
‘we can’
beyond the reach
of ‘should we’
bedecked
in stainless
stone
and such
a halogen blaze
of neon fire
they surge
with the impulse
of power
and greed
temples
of
avarice
embellished
here and there
by art
and
true creative touch
though
sadly
short fallen
they are erected
englassened
and festooned
in varying shape
and differing size
they flank
in concrete corridors
that criss
and cross
blink
beep
and ring
that buzz
belch
hiss
and stink
they regiment
the like-minded
that submit
huddled within
college’d clones
connected
protected
directed
and inspected
in their daily dealings
haughty monoliths
that intimidate
and amaze
with cold
calculated
majesty
but
they are
ego’s folly
for they do not
cannot
touch the soul
nor offer solace
to the human core
that seeks
the folded petal’s mystery
that marvels
at the smallness
of a changing frond
at the might
of gnarled bark
the magic
of budding branch
they do not
touch the spirit
soothed
by wind and water
thrilled
by song of birds
or swoop of hawks
enlivened
by the yelp
or bark
or bleat of beasts
they cannot
reach the soul
that needs
to know and see
a salmon’s trek
the dolphin’s arc
an open sky
the roll of unobstructed clouds
or fall of stars
they have nothing
for the soul
that needs to hear
the crack of thunder
resound for miles
across the plain
then off the mountain’s face
they fail
the human core
that needs
the fresh embrace of rain
the crisp and quiet
drift of snow
the hues and sway
of living fields
They leave the spirit cold
that needs
to watch the orchard’s blossoms
bloom to fruit
see forests
thick beyond horizons
or feel
the lift of cresting surf
no…
there are no human constructs
that satisfy
this need to know
evolving natural wonders
that inspire
resonate
the heart
that liberate
the soul
to leave one
truly filled
with awe
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
