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One thing that I can do (thanks to pd), that an animal cannot, is write poetry. The following do not deal with pd directly, but do deal with some of the larger issues, of which pd is just one small part. The first is based on a true story... **************************** THE DILEMNA A man once asked his priest, "Please help me resolve this dilemna Which confronts me." "Which is more ethical: If a fly should land in my pool, Should I save him or leave him?" "If I leave him, He will surely drown. If I rescue him, Then he may also be doomed." "I once saved a fly from this fate, Only to have a lizard dash out And make him it's prey." "Which do I choose: Leave him to certain death Or save him to die moments later?" "What would God say?" The priest replied, "You really should not interfere with God's plan. If that fly landed in that pool only to drown, It was probably her intent." Upon hearing this story, I was immediately struck with the irony Which neither had noticed. Taking the situation one step back, Hadn't he already interfered By placing the pool in the fly's territory? No pool = No dilemna. In trying to determine The extent of human influence on the earth: At what point do we consider it "Interference" And when do we consider it our natural "Participation" In the Creator's plan Of which we play a part? * copyright Wendy Tebay *********************** THE GIFT An animal gave its life, Or perhaps shall we say, It was taken. Collectively their lives sacrificed To protect us from our own creations. Creation implies a process of renewal. An infusion of the life force Into the shapeless ether. However, that is not as it appears When it's a 'lower' life form you've taken. I embody that life force Comprising one and all And through me it speaks for those who cannot, Except by their cries On our compassion they desperately call "I would perhaps gladly give my life To save a child from cancer Or a father from a failing heart. But to give it solely for man's vanity or excessive consumption Literally tears me apart." "Regarding the latter, I may lose my life, Yet man loses his soul, Lost bit by bit with each cry he ignores Growing further desensitized." "Numb inside from his cavalier attitude Toward life in forms other than his own. Numb outside from that which he has supposedly proven safe Yet has turned on him also." "I would give my life for my master's As she would unhesitatingly give hers for mine. The gift and the love flow one to another, Equally and without reserve." "To be forced to give it to someone Who does not truly value the gift, Nor would consider its return, Brings to mind another Who also gave the ultimate Gift" "A gift of love, a gift of life For the sake of those undeserved, Asking of his creator as they watched his life ebb, 'Please forgive them father for they know not what they do.' " "Now two millenia since this story occurred, Ignorance hopefully illumined by compassion, We simply ask that our gift be honored and respected For we feel and we suffer, Just as surely as do you." * copyright Wendy Tebay *********************************** WILD KIN Rustic, beautiful Capped in white serenity Peaks caressed by the clouds A source of spiritual energy. The call of the mountain siren Luring all who long for renewal A return to the life source After long separation, lonely and cruel. Answering an undefineable urge To be wild and free To revel in the pure joy Instilled by such simple majesty. Greeted by lost kin The hawk, the wolf, and the bear A myriad of God's creatures All of whom this precious home share. Each in accordance with its nature A participant in the dance of life Some leading, some following Roles balanced, fates intertwined. A dance not a dance If only one leads Dominating the music's expression Barely noticing the rhythm another heeds. I pray from that part of me That growls with the bear Howls with the wolf And calls from the air, That all may hear the strains of nature's melody Respectfully aware of how it's created A harmonious blend of diverse voices Whose individual worth cannot be overstated. All life interdependent A reality often difficult to see For man cut off from his source Trapped in a sterile society Attending one's daily activities With emotions suppressed Body and soul compromised By unrelenting stress. Into this void Is thus sowed the seed The primitive urge to recapture That essence which all of life needs. To commune with the wild kin And dance with complete abandon Losing oneself in blissful wholeness With such soulful companions. *copyright Wendy Tebay ********************** BIG Big country, Big people Big appetites, Big servings Big cars, Big homes Big factories, Big farms Big business, Big brother Big taxes, Big debt Big roads, Big trains Big cities, Big buildings Big ghettos, Big suburbs Big consumers, Big landfills Big weapons, Big churches Big crime, Big profit Big malls, Big parking lots Big sales, Big selection Big hospitals, Big universities Big stress, Big pills Big screen, Big stars Big universe, Big egos Some wildlife, Some trees Some resources, Some jobs Some parks, Some wilderness Some art, Some native peoples Some fresh air, Some clean rivers Some freedom, Some health Some choices, Some privacy Some hope, Some joy Some education, Some future Small minds, Small expectations Small foresight, Small planet Small apartments, Small children Little time, Little concern BIG PROBLEMS REQUIRING: BIG SOLUTIONS BIG COMMITMENT BIG EFFORT BIG LOVE BIG FAITH BIG HOPE *copyright Wendy Tebay * Wendy Tebay