THE NATURE OF THE THING

The solitary grazer does not plan
To go beyond the snowline and the sun
Does not intend to burn uncovered skin
It is the very nature of the thing

The fire once alight continues burning
Until it meets with that which will not burn
And the road will only turn when it must turn
It is the very nature of the thing

The lion kills without any compassion
The locust devastates without distress
And the eagle’s eye is keen when on the wing
It is the very nature of the thing

Only man will load upon his back
Regret and guilt and never put them down
Blessing his head with his own thorny crown
Is it the consequence of conscious sin,
Or is it just the nature of the thing?