Khepri

[DonMar]

Khepri

Look at the dung beetle;

pushing his little ball of shit
in a perfect straight line
whatever obstacle or incline
might tempt him to veer.
 
The Milky Way his map,
his intent both simple and alien--
his godlike will
once worshipped.

Are you not more valuable than he?




*** with appropriate credit to Matthew 6:26

Others have made such erudite observations. I can only hang onto those coat-tails.  But I'm absolutely impressed by the threads of allusions you've woven into such an exquisite, tiny tapestry. Wonderful imagery throughout. For some reason, I keep going back to 'The Milky Way his map/his intent both simple and alien--'. These lines have - for me - such a poignancy about them. And in fact, your own crafting of the poem mirrors the action and intent of the dung beetle. The extreme juxtaposition of the tiny beetle and its 'little ball of of shit' with the immensity of the Milky Way is also an image that resonates strongly with me. The last line of the poem of course adds an extra, thoughtful dimension, but for me, the poem works well even without it.