Who Would Teach Us? Poem by Papillion Hejduk

If the sun did not rise and set
would we know of time?
If the stars did not shine at night
would we know of infinity?
If the moon did not prophesize
the coming of a new day
would we have known,
or still await
a messenger,
a messiah?

If there was no one to quest for power
would there have only been truth,
would there ever have been lie?
If there was no one to murder
or rape
or hate,
would we be less wise?

If the horizon did not push sky
beyond sight
and into meditation,
would we accept the possibility of soul?
If a new day did not break with the scent
of quiescent veracity,
would we have know of rebirth?
If leaves did not undress each fall
to reveal their inner beauty,
would we know to look inwards
to find strength
and peace?

If there was no one to discriminate
would we know of shame,
would there ever have been a cry for freedom?
If there was no one to starve
or steal
or deride,
would we be less astute?

What lesson lies within the way oceans
make love with unfamiliar lands.
What truth hides within the mist
as a river strives to reach harmony
with the cool of the night?
What hint rides within the beauty of moonlight
that shimmers across a lake,
a body of self sustaining symmetry?
Who
would teach us of such things?