Hope is work

 

A sculpture of Jane Goodall and David Greybeard outside the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago  (Source)

 

Hope is the work of a far-seeing woman
who still teaches past her death.
Jane Goodall was barely on my radar,
so wrapped up was I in the politic of war
that rocks my country and other countries
of the world.  But stand under a tree,
stand in the arid land of drought, or stand
in the life of chimpanzees like Jane Goodall did,
and other windows open to see earth, and
to see how we humans are part of nature.
 
We have roles to play as part of the natural world.
What matters?  Look out the windows to see
what living things need, to see where there is pain: 
All life needs water, clean air, food, a planet. 
A home for the future.  Is there evil to be destroyed? 
Yes, but is it the primary work we have to do
for hope to thrive?  Along with a ground-swell of
respect, non-violence, empathy, and cooperation
to build hope.  That is the work which
we cannot give up, according to Jane.

 

For Sherry's prompt "A Message from Jane Goodall" at What's Going On? 

 

My blog poems are rough drafts.

Please respect my copyright.

© 2025 Susan L. Chast