Diaspora

Diaspora


From the depths of Space
~As from the depths of my heart

Comes the message of an ancient blessing
~Singing the truth to my Soul.

The elements of life, lifeless themselves
~My character, and the character of Man

Are meaningless and formless.
~Must create meaning and form.

But how is this a blessing?
~This is the essential art of life

Does this concept imply necessary intention?
~This legacy of man is both gift and curse.

Is intention the same as inevitability?
~We repeat errors, but is this our doom?

If an event is inevitable, predictable,
~We come together in groups,

Is it therefore intended by a sentient over-mind
~Is this natural community predetermined?

As we know it? Or rather don’t know it?
~It seems so automatic, central to life.

Does the vacuum of Space inevitably create force
~Our gene to survive moves us to adventure

As we witness with an imploding light bulb?
~As we have colonized Earth, to distraction.

This simple misperception is tempting.
~Diaspora is our curse, and our birthright.

But elements in Space attract and separate
~Yet we return and commune as One

Forced by their own persuasive energy
~Recognizing our similarities, a guiding impulse

Every two particles necessarily coalescing
~We unite for survival, in the same way we dispersed

Following the chance of proximate association
~Attaching meaning to the accident of birth,

Moving imperceptibly closer, each combining
~Uniting our hopes we develop community,

And the memory of this attraction is stored
~Tradition and ritual draw us together

In the very electric bond that unites them
~And bind our hearts and heal our Souls.

Accumulating to become life-giving elements.
~Giving us the judgment of the sages

From this grows the fundamentals for intelligence,
~And with our fertility we command all species,

For some this organizing force has come to be named god.
~But too often fail to see spirituality all around.

Unite

I.J. Hall, January 30, 2003