shade, timber, knowledge: of a tree

there once was a seed
growing nice and plant-like in the shade of another tree.
it sprouted its roots,
dug deep (mud can be thick)
and spread itself wide to become another tree.

fruit developed, nourished plenty.
the animals enjoyed the cover; the children
enjoyed the bonfires generated from the broken branches.
a family surrounded that space and lifted young ones
into the heights so they could experience a climb into the celestials.

eventually, life changed;
the family had moved on (figuratively)
(literally had moved lower, for their bodies became the nourishment
for future trees)
and the tree had no contemporaries.

but what to make of such a silly little
charming story?
when three out of ten republican leadership candidates
believe everything is wrong, and everything is right,
with evolution, the former, and intelligent design, the latter?

are we doomed to become cavemen again
in this world?
can I plant the seeds for future generations of knowledge
or is this merely a hopeless enterprise against the tides
of patriarchal colonial fascist violent tendencies?

I would hope not,
for I’ve sat by trees, and tasted their fruit,
climbed their welcoming branches
and worshipped the solace they provide
communities.

just that.
what struggle, what silly struggle.
we’ve come so far, and now the boat is pulling away from shore
and hauling away a bow full of timber
for we’ve chopped down all the knowledge our history has acquired.