Power!
In the hands of those who rule
Power!
In the hands of fools
Flaunt, flex, and fold but don’t discriminate
For society makes quick work of heroes
Topple their empires, crush their egos
Exalt, exile, then eliminate
Human nature fosters monsters yet taints saints
Beware my cautionary tale, be it ever so faint
I guess that’s why they call it power-fool
In the hands of those who rule
Power!
In the hands of fools
Flaunt, flex, and fold but don’t discriminate
For society makes quick work of heroes
Topple their empires, crush their egos
Exalt, exile, then eliminate
Human nature fosters monsters yet taints saints
Beware my cautionary tale, be it ever so faint
I guess that’s why they call it power-fool
And the wise master said to his apprentice,
Don’t be fooled by power alone.
The wise don’t seek power but the truth that lies in it.
In order to obtain the truth of power, one must seek it.
The master sent off his young apprentice on a journey.
The apprentice wandered a long, uncertain path.
She searched for the truth that lay within power.
She came across an ant colony upon a hill.
The ants marched, back and forth,
Trampling every twig and leaf in their path,
The apprentice saw power in numbers.
Walking through the forest she saw a pack of wolves,
Chasing and hunting down big game,
The apprentice saw power in cooperation.
She came to a small hive. Inside,
Fluttering about busily, obediently, precisely,
Worker bees went about,
The head of the hive, royally perched, reined the queen.
The apprentice saw power in authority.
She stopped in awe and wonder,
Seeing a lion boasting upon a grassy plain.
The wind breezing between its regal mane,
The apprentice saw power in pride.
Under a dense tunnel, she spotted a fat rat.
Gnawing slowly from stockpiled scraps,
The rat snarled and defended the spoils it gathered.
Behind this plump rat she noticed a family of rats,
All staying pleasantly plump; thriving the harshest winters.
The apprentice saw power in resource.
She gave a second glance at something she almost missed,
Upon a branch a chameleon wait camouflaged –
Masked within the brush and patiently awaiting its next meal.
The apprentice saw power in opportunity.
The apprentice came to a beautifully crafted spider web.
The spider toiled meticulously to perfect its home.
Oh wait! The apprentice was surprised to witness,
The home was also secretly a trap for an unwitting critter.
The apprentice saw power in ingenuity.
The apprentice returned from where she came.
She stopped and proudly told the master the truths of power.
She saw legions of ants conquering despite their tininess,
A wealthy family of rats,
Wolves working in unison,
A patient chameleon,
A lion maintaining unwavering presence,
A crafty and sly spider,
And a queen who effortlessly ran her dominion,
These are seven truths of power the apprentice said.
The master was pleased.
Indeed you are correct, he said.
But… do you want to know something young one?
There is a source of power; an essence of power.
You cannot and will not find this power, regardless of your efforts.
One important power that no one, not even I, can master.
An evolving animal called “man” is futilely trying to master this power.
A divine power you will not see in nature, but something deeper…
The power you forgot my young apprentice is the power of knowledge.
One who has a full grasp of knowledge has full power.
We all have bits of our own knowledge from experience and observation,
but…I’m sure you know this already, curious apprentice.
Many creatures have deep knowledge of some truth of power.
Thus they have taken time to learn the truth behind their powers.
“Man” is a colorful exception.
Humanity makes a habit of trying to use power without full knowledge,
Without knowing the truths, mankind has plagued itself.
Misuse of power, despite momentary prosperity, ultimately forecasts trouble.
Take good note of these peculiar beings; the measure of all things...the king of beasts…
Unlike other animals, they concern themselves with overriding purposes,
Flaunting, flexing, and folding power at the first chance to grasp it.
Learn from this animal most of all.
Don’t be fooled by power alone.
The wise don’t seek power but the truth that lies in it.
Written by fatalist poet Thorne McFarlane (Fatal Dawn)
Thank you to my readers. I will be on hiatus.
