Hunters & Gatherers

We are of two different worlds.

That, accept as true...

Then try to understand the things

I will now say to you.

On my world pain is hidden

and weakness should be concealed.

If to my kind hurt is given,

it is not to be revealed.

Strength and sureness are accepted

for they keep the pack at bay.

This does not make it right or wrong

but says only - it's that way.

On your world there's pride in sharing,

so the group you gather round,

and sharing the pain of others

helps healing all around.

Doubt can be diminished

by speaking with those that wish to hear,

and none will be rejected

that with empathy draw near.

On my world poor performance

draws danger to one and all.

and needing help in doing

can cause more than one to fall.

So skills are perfected on ones own

with the danger thus diminished

and guidance is only asked

when the goal can not be finished.

On your world guidance is often given

so that sustenance can be obtained.

and for unified method and effort

the group must all be trained.

That each should know the way it's done

brings strength to one and all

and each can feel protected while

others are near to call.

On my world we are accepted

for what we alone bring in.

We only risk the danger

when acceptance we wish to win.

On your world you are rejected

for what you take away.

So You know you are not rejected

while with you the group does stay.

On my world there is danger

with every noise that's made.

so for the sake of our survival

noise has been forbade.

On your world noise is safety

keeping the group in easy call,

Scaring away the danger

that would cause one alone to fall.

On my world advice is given

with pleasure when it is asked

but demand one to display his knowledge

and blood will stain the grass.

and to show oneself superior

with unsolicited aid

is to belittle the recipient

and risk his bared blade.

On your world help is given

to show how much you care.

So to avoid rejection

Your help you gladly share.

and your work is then made lighter

through your common goals

and all within the group express

a bonding of their souls.

on my world one blow will kill a dragon

one blow will kill a hare.

the value of the effort

how much meat is there.

the size of a kill is crucial

to the effort we expend

not for the effort given

but when danger we must face again.

On your world each hand can pick a berry

each back can bare a pack

and each berry that can not be lifted

will stay 'till the group comes back.

and each caring act of kindness

is in retrospect reviewed

as a single load that's lifted

until your strength has been renewed.

On your world self esteem is developed

by knowing others care

and by those that feel your caring

and need you being there.

On my world it's developed

when trust is by others shown

that for the pack we do our best

when left upon our own.

and the acceptance that is given

for that which we bring in

and the faith that we will succeed

when we go out again.

On your world while you chatter

it's of work you've left undone.

of how much you'll care tomorrow

and make the work more fun.

of how you'll help to overcome

the obstacles you meet

and every berry that you pick

will surely be so sweet.

and slowly they're reminded

of how much you do care

and of the value that is gained

while with you they wish to share.

On my world as we meet

within the campfires protective light

we speak of the swiftness of our arrows

that killed the dear in flight

of great prizes that we've won

and with the group did share.

We speak not about tomorrow

and the danger waiting there.

Alone we must face that tomorrow

or we will surely fall

for with the arrival of the sunlight

there will be none within our call.

and as we speak of prizes

and great deeds that we have done

we're assured we can return tomorrow

with the setting of the sun.

Whether it's the acceptance we seek tomorrow

or the rejection we avoid today

this does not make it right or wrong

but says only - it's that way.

I do not fear rejection

acceptance you've no need to gain

with out this understanding

our worlds are split in twain

and on each of our worlds the failure

will really bring the same

a decreasing chance of our survival

that must be overcome again.

                            ~David M. Smoak

 

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