–title from a tune by Thelonius Monk
Cold, below zero. Winter begins tomorrow. Bill Moyers' lamentation
about the end of earth and the self-fulfilling prophecy of Revelations.
Both environmentalists and fundamentalists apparently believe these
are end times. I myself am not convinced. Such panic attacks
usually end with the victim surviving and feeling silly.
Although you never can be sure this one's not the real thing, history
and objective measurements can do a lot to calm one down.
But not enough. In the end you sweat it out and hang tough.
At the level of community, we stand together, form associations
of like-minded people. We meet in the meeting house,
argue and pray. Nevertheless, nothing can be done by the nation
unless done by each damned litterer, scientist and American Indian.
Not a one of us left out. Everywhere you turn you hear the singing.
I myself am in the place between Lapis Lazuli and Bright Mississippi.
Copyright 2007 by Robert Ronnow.