David Wolf

Man and Nature

Nature is not at man’s disposal.
That we never should forget.
Though man is a part of it,
he, without consent has staked
his claim to measure her against himself.

When in fact, it should be simply the other way around:
In effect creation makes all measure still!
And man can’t seem to fit.
His favourite tune is all about depletion.

He bleeds nature, wherever licit.
Exploits himself,
till in the end nothing ‘s left to be leached out
and a world stripped bare hangs but about,
before she must to pieces blow.

From: What’s left?, 1986