Wendell Berry poem

[John Raabe]

If we have become a people incapable of thought,
then the brute-thought
of mere power and mere greed
will think for us.

If we have become incapable
of denying ourselves anything,
then all that we have
will be taken from us.

If we have no compassion,
we will suffer alone, we will suffer
alone the destruction of ourselves.

these are merely the laws of this world
as know to Shakespeare, as known to Milton.

When we cease from human thought,
a low and effective cunning
stirs in the most inhuman minds.

--Wendell Berry, Sabbaths 2005 in LEAVINGS

[sparks]

Interesting poem John,

I see the author has invoked Shakespeare.

One of the Bard's lines from Macbeth that I learned waaaay back in high school..

'To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing'.......


From 'Macbeth',  Act V, Scene V



Some days, I feel like I know what he was talking about............




sparks

[sparks]

   ' When we cease from human thought,
a low and effective cunning
stirs in the most inhuman minds.'


Reminds me a bit more of the Bard......

'Oh, what a wicked web we weave...when we set out but to deceive'......I can't remember the play that it came from though??.....anyone have a clue?



sparks