5.13.2018

Never Knowing

"Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance."

— Theodore Roosevelt



Where did their sense of wonderment go? I didn't take it. I think it must have been taken from them long ago, though. Or perhaps it was replaced?



Yes, that's it. Over time it was replaced with cell phones, mortgages, earnings, returns, HDTVs, Nike, E*Trade, and Gucci.



And then all of that, and so much more, was then covered with cynicism, narcissism, denialism, and entitlement ― a hardened saccharin frosting; growing intellectually diabetic from sweet blindness.



They do not know the things that creep through and grow from the forest floor. They do not know their voices and needs.



It's especially frustrating when it's right before their eyes and under their noses.



They run, ride, or walk past it almost every day. And the day passes, and then the days pass. Never knowing their presence, never knowing their history.

Never knowing ...



All images © 2018 Mike McDowell