Problem Child

In the beginning Humans saw the light

Reflected off themselves in image bright.

‘Til then the universe lay dark and cold

With no discerning creature to behold.

But in the Human mind, now inward turned,

Consciousness become reflexive, burned.

And the Humans saw the creatures that were round,

The birds that flew, the beasts that roamed the ground;

And the Humans said to one another, “See!

We are not like the birds and beasts, for we

Have needs, and prize possessions, and ask ‘Why?’

In innocence they live, and, ignorant, die.”

And the Humans saw that they were alone,

And, behold, it was bad.

And Self-Awareness nurtured Instinct’s fire,

Fanning it to Infinite Desire.

And Humans wanted knowledge, power and life

In infinite amounts. And they knew strife

Within their souls, for none could quench such thirst.

Of every creature’s lot, theirs far the worst;

To want all things and know that, come what may,

Oblivion would have the final say.

And the Humans saw that they were utterly alone,

And, behold, it was very bad.

And the Humans looked unto the heavens far,

Postulated power in a star

And purpose in the planets’ place and sum.

The universe remained no longer dumb

To Human suffering; they, in their need,

Created gods to sanctify their deeds,

And plucked and pruned and bred them ‘til they bore

One Supreme, whom they could adore:

Omnipotent, Omniscient – perfect mirror

In which to cast their own reflections dear!

And the Humans looked upon the universe afresh,

And, behold, it would do.