by Gordon Gilbert
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| wild geese, Hudson River Park, NYC |
the same earth that buries the dead
nourishes new life coming forth from that same soil
the same air through which the dead leaves fall
lifts the wings of those who call it home
the same water that overwhelms in sudden storms
and drowns those who can't escape to higher ground
gives life and shelter to aquatic beings
and is from whence we came and still we need
the same fire that destroys all in its path
we harness for our purposes and progress
destruction and creation, condemnation, resurrection
but alternatives among a multitude
coexistent in a four dimensional realm
in one of a multiplex of universes
the one that we inhabit
we are no different from that from which we came
neither truly good nor evil in our nature
we are but the natural progression and expression
of a larger whole with this exception:
we self-conceive and give that self expression
now here we are again the same side of the sun
this moment that we choose to call a "new" year
a starting line across the oval track our planet travels
artificially designated, of recent origin
not that once chosen by
hunters, gatherers, herders and farmers
in many lands, in many other eras
we have come so far we tell ourselves
but we have gone so far from where we were
and we are lost now to the earth that birthed us
before it is too late, we must return, reclaim
who and what we truly are
we must be born again
Gordon Gilbert is a long-time resident of the West Village in NYC who has found solace and inspiration for the past two years in his walks along the Hudson River, photographing and writing about the wildlife, flora and river traffic during the pandemic as the seasons changed.