Up to now, there’s been enough room to go elsewhere. Another land, another country, across the great divide.
There was nothing too big or dangerous to keep us from settling.
Now the world is full of us.
What we seek is taken.
Over the rise are others like us.
What we need is theirs.
What we ask for is that it be shared.
The world, since all life began, has evolved
to provide sustenance for all beings.
Such as life begets life, and as life eats life,
this is how the world has revolved.
We have been given abilities to bond, speak, laugh and forgive.
What life has given us, we have not given back.
There is more of us and less of life.
When we are left with want, no song will save us.
For this small space of time
we have the power to sustain us all
by sustaining all life.
This will require much wisdom
which we lack.
Life will go on with or without us.
Our children who survive will
speak of an age when we were great.
They will worship a God
who demands that they give back
what we had received.
Norman Astrin lives in Cotati.
Open Mic is a weekly feature in the ‘Bohemian.’ We welcome your contribution. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write [email protected].
