Cool Lessons Under Raging Sun

Wilted by long walk under raging sun, I sought the cool shelter of a large tree. As I felt fresh, as if from far heaven A sombre voice seemed to admonish me: Till ye stop not grounding such gracious trees, Nor learn to walk soft upon fallen leaves, Be kind enough to share your lucky breeze, Not be a thankless man that just receives. O ponder whilst ye cool under this shade, Be not so ingrate that ye have long been, Nor spoiled by free favours of all these green, Feel beholden to them ye breathe, eat bread. Beware, with this sun raging redder still You’ll have no more shade on this earth to chill. __________________________________________ Sonnets | 03.08.2015, revised March 2023 | Poet’s note: The animal world, even lowly insects take ample clues from Nature, and tailor their lives in tune with the changed environment. Alas, not man. Perhaps, for no other reason than the fact that he is intelligent. Intelligent sure, but not wise. This sonnet tries to warn him— a voice perhaps in wilderness.