Humble In Its Warmth

Long ago man used to say,
Blessed be the Sun, acknowledging
its grandeur, its god-like appearance…
its energy.  Indeed, it was worshipped; and
I dare say it is still worshipped, somewhere in
the world.  Why would it not?

Who could ignore it?  It’s just that today, most do not
worship it, anymore than one would worship the sky;
we have, mankind that is, gained an understanding
of the sun; hydrogen, helium, the two most basic
elements.  And, of course, there is the physics—
that which makes the sun shine.  Oh indeed,
it is much more than a space heater. 

It heats, all right, and as it does
it drives the weather, and drives
life itself, everything from humans to
hippopotami to an abalone.  We feel
the sun’s warmth on our upturned faces
on a summer’s day, and marvel at its strength. 

I still feel awe, a sense of respect. 
This is because I hold nature so dear,
and feel a tingle in my spine whenever 
I think about her.  In this regard, perhaps
some carryover still exists from our ancient
ancestors that has been passed down to me. 
It was a much different time, back then, when
superstition and the mysteries of nature gripped
folks with fear.  Much of the time they were itinerant,
moving from place to place.  Always, though, they were
dependent on the sun, and even celebrated its return; that 
is to say when the winter solstice passed, and the days began
to grow longer.  Now, in our age of computers and jet travel,
we have jettisoned such fears.  We have an understanding
of nuclear synthesis, and how stars, like our sun, make
heavier elements, which can then make all that we
have and see, from human beings to plastic.
I say kudos to the sun—I need not worship
it, but I do stand humble in its warmth,
with a continuing reverence
for its glory.


40 Lines
Writer’s Cramp
10-7-17

Requirements:
--ignore
--space heater
--abalone
--itinerant
--plastic