Two In One

There are two kinds of cultures - Defined in different ways In different countries and lifestyles, Valley vs Mountain, Settled vs Nomadic Or in modern America, City vs Country - With their two opposing attitudes, “Let us tell you what to do!”, and “Just leave me alone…” It’s a simple dichotomy really Of a group and collective orientation, And a more individualist and self-reliant one Based on the reality of survival Each different lifestyle requires. Different people have different affinities And many self-select to live around similar types, But there are plenty who find themselves living, Out of family or work or relationship needs, As a minority, a stranger in a strange land Like that little contrasting dot within The swirling drops of yin/yang’s polarity. But these two cultures, as complimentary As they are, also divide the nation Not just geographically; East and West, North and South But politically; Left and Right, Socialist and Conservative To some extend sexually; Female and Male And generationally; Parents and Child. It’s a conflict of cultures we all experience But sometimes never grow out of Or find the freedom from, and peace with. The two after all are opposites And the one wanting to tell you what to do Is by definition more motivated to find the other And tell them what to do… It’s the world we live in, But at some point it seems It’s just not sustainable. Things fall apart When they aren’t maintained and kept organized, Oh, and here come those who have volunteered For that job! Now order rules the day, and chaos Is always better kept way over there. There are no frontiers left to explore And escape into anymore Other than the inner realm of mind Imagination, dreams and fantasies Or an addiction, dysfunction and disease - Plenty of chaos available in those - Or better yet, a good book in the man cave, A quiet sit on the cushion Or walk in the woods… Something, anything to give us the peace We all need From that nagging persistent voice, Outside and within, Telling us what it thinks we should do While we just want to be left alone To discover it on our own. (3/8/25)