Survival: The Chaotic and Beautiful Art

Survival: The Chaotic and Beautiful Art

Authority is only right
Because it is oppressive.
The tool of the strong and rich,
Whose need for power is obsessive.

So say those
Who insist that all is mere construction.
They gaze past their navels to their toes,
As they call for social deconstruction.

For it is constructions that impede,
That hold all of humanity back—
Withhold the power to succeed—
And are responsible for every lack.

But don’t they also hold back hate?
Don’t they restrain greed and selfishness?
Constructions help us navigate,
And let the storm control us less.

We are perpetually town apart,
By the storm in every one of us.
Thrown from peace back to the start,
By our passions and our biases…

Constructions narrow our vision,
So we can better, together, make our way.
They bridge divisions;
Setting the rules by which we play.

Constructions mediate it all;
Curtailing the war of all against all.

Authorities and radicals both play their part,
Because after all…
Survival is a chaotic, but beautiful art.