The QuestionI attended the March for Science held at the Boston Common on April 22. The weather was miserable--cold and rainy--but the enthusiasm was contagious. I marched with a small group of public, university, school, and specialized librarians from our gathering spot at the Boston Public Library to the Common. When we arrived, thousands of people were gathered in support of science. Here are just a few of the photos I took that day:
Before the development of a scientific method,
before there were books and libraries,
there was the question, "Why?"
To answer the question the elders made up
stories, and retold them, so that when a child
asked a particular "Why?" They had answers.
Hummingbird punched holes in the night sky.
Tien Mu flashed her mirrors while
her husband, Lei Shen, beat a drum.
God rubbed a lion's head 'til it sneezed two cats.
Today, for much that is in our world,
and in the worlds beyond our ken,
the question still remains, "Why?"
So, the answer we give is another
question, "Do you want us to tell a tale,
or, do you want us to seek the truth?
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Visit JoAnn at Teaching Authors for the Round-Up of poetry posts from around the blogosphere.
Click here for an article on the kids who attended Boston's march. I don't think the crowd estimate of 1,000 is right, but who am I to dispute The Boston Globe? If you look at the overhead view of the Common, seen here, it looks to be more than 1,000.
Let me close with my no-frills sign. It was approximately 8 1/2 X 11." Why so small? So I could hold it comfortably, so I could carry it on the subway without hitting anyone in the face, and, it was the only piece of plain cardboard I could find in the house!
I found three Thoreau quotes that I could have used. The other two are:
"What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"
"In wildness is the preservation of the world."
YES! I would think that if you truly believed that God created the world, you would want to protect all of creation, and preserve it for future generations!
ReplyDeleteThat should be a no-brainer! Alas, it's not.
DeletePowerful poem and images. Thanks for sharing and for stepping up to step out and make a statement!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to march again tomorrow--this time for the Earth and her climate. Click here for more information.
DeleteYes! Your poem speaks truth--loudly. And I love the photos from the march. Thank you for speaking out.
ReplyDeleteSadly, we'll be marching quite often with the new administration laying waste to all that we value.
DeleteProtect or plunder? Wildlife or wars?
ReplyDeleteAs I always think when I see a person on a bike or motorcycle without a helmet -- protect what you value!
(I posted a few science march pictures too: http://tabathayeatts.blogspot.com/2017/04/science.html)
Loved your pictures! Are you marching again tomorrow? The weather should be great!
DeleteI think the silver lining in this national nightmare has been this growth of committed activism. Here's to the next march and to truth!
ReplyDeleteI think people have come to realize that if you sit at home and do nothing, then nothing that is meaningful to you is going to happen. That, and there's the idea that we are not alone.
DeleteLove so many of these signs, including YOURS, Diane. ("Though she be but little, she is fierce!") Your poem is the one I WISH I had to give to my hubby for Poem in Your Pocket Day. Truth matters, indeed, but I do like the story about the lion sneezing two cats. :)
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't like stories, I wouldn't be a writer! Stories have their place, but not when life depends on truth.
DeleteI wish I had gone! I was caught up in the minutiae of parenting three kids during soccer season. Now I'm sad I didn't go support the march.
ReplyDelete