Mother Nature's Son: The Tale of Badeaux
I was birthed under heaven and moon and stars, and cried up to the sky as I entered life,
The wail produced, perhaps an echo of tormented things I would feel later in my life.
The birth-givers christened me and blessed me, and then set me free so I could walk.
I was set down on the road to travel, and as I started I could hear the cry of the trees…
The animals inside, suffering, dying, wailing, moaning, calling out my name!
I longed to hear them, to understand their pitches and chords, and longed to understand!
Yet, there was silence.
I grew, like a tree, like a robin, like a fox, a bear, a rabbit, a cloud. I shot forth, matured.
I was born anew, living through Spring and Summer and Autumn and Winter, through all.
Again and again, cycles piled up, birthing myself over and over again, through the years.
I could walk--run--jump--hide. I could think, move, act, on my own will, and hope.
I had been placed on this road to discover something, be it destiny or the end of the path.
I had hoped for a marker or map, for who dares to claim to know their own destiny?
A guide came to me, in the form of a tree, and pointed the way, the way of my path!
I wanted to hear her, and listen to her words; I wanted to know what she knew, and more!
Yet, there was silence.
Another year added, and another still--two more, and I grew to be a man, and grew.
I grew, and I knew--the path set before me would never end, not ever, no never, not once.
I was destined to simply walk, walk down such a path, in search of something, but what?
I was looking for an object that I knew nothing about, in a place I had never been to,
Nor did I know if this path I was on even had an ending or not, or if I was just walking,
Destined to forever not know, not discover, not ascertain, not even to gain assistance.
The animals called out to me, and whistled my name, and wanted for me to hear them,
And oh, how I wanted to understand them, to be clear of mind to listen to their voice!
Yet, there was silence.
But oh, one day there was a marvelous miracle, one that I stumbled upon by accident!
I discovered a cave, and inside this hollow earth, I found one who could open my ears.
There was a man, as ancient as a redwood and as gnarled as an oak, and ashen like beech.
He had a beard that fell like a weeping-willow, and I knew that this was an old sprite.
He bade me come, and tell him my woes, and I said everything on my mind, and more.
A smile he grew, and he knew that my heart was pure, and gave me a priceless gift.
My ears were opened that very moment, and my mind was cleared, and I began to learn.
I thanked the old nymph, and rushed out to listen, to really and truly listen, to the world!
Yet, there was silence.
My ears deceived me not, nor did the wizard perform a horrible trick on my mind.
I had failed, somehow, or perhaps I was lost--no, something more horrible was there!
The trees, screaming, being cut down for houses! The animals, screaming, being skinned!
Chop, chop, there went my friends, my guides! They were lost, never to show me home!
Hack, slash, what a gruesome spectacle, so many innocent animals being desecrated!
Their very fur, their very skin, cut open for man's warmth and profit, cut so needlessly!
I became enraged, but they were too many, and I was but one, and I could only listen.
And so, I began to scream as well. There was not silence in the woods, just my voice.
I would never know.
But ah, now my mind is clear, now my voice rings true, now my path is bright and sure.
I see before me, the horizon and beyond--mountains, a blue sky, clouds, grass, the wind.
I can clearly hear the call of nature--whistling of birds, waving of trees, yipping of dogs.
My ears have been opened to the world around me, and I stand here, listening, hoping,
Wondering if I, as but one, can influence those who are many, simply by my ears?
I am one who is listening to the world; could there be others so open-minded? I hope.
Or else, I shall continue to stand, and be silent, and let my ears talk, and my heart hope.
The silence will not last forever.
The End