Civilization

by R. D. Ashby

Human civilisation is all about
Conceptualisation of the earth;
All perceived and named and used
Between the surface of the soil and sky.

Start with the map of the world,
Every feature classified, a wrapping
Stretched flat on a table, a noise
Of names distinctive of land shapes.

The cities, worlds in themselves,
Reduced to points by scale, Googling
In are garrulous with control.
Civilisation is the process of ideas.

Even weather patterns are forecast,
A hand sweeps out an arc of sunshine
Or draws in the hurricane; who knows
The timing of earthquake or volcano?

Earthquake or volcano are viewed in
Context – breaking earth like bread, in
Our eyes their terror is subordinate to,
Never impedes, the ideals of civilisation.

30-May-2010

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Comments on this Poem

Our civilization has to go a long way to know and stop Earthquakes and Volcanic eruptions by science and technology sure! Nice criticism civilization of man!

t A ramesh
21-Feb-2021 00:07 AM