Certain species of plants
can be forced into flowering
simply by depriving them the nourishment of water

It seems prolonged drought
eventually wakens within these flora
the fear that Death may be close at hand

Thus threatened, they hasten to blossom...
mustering all the hidden energies necessary
to ensure fulfillment of Creation's Great Urge

Now, is there not a parallel here
that bears upon our own parched nature
in today's unhappy world?

After having impoverished ourselves for so long
of all enthusiasm, achievement and rebirth...
of all that refreshes and nurtures our garden of humanity...

do we now hope
this odd method of self-cultivation
might finally frighten a renaissance into bloom?
                    

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At my Own Generation

---

by Robert Urban

I could only marvel
how from such rich earth
a garden bore fruit
yet brought forth no flower