On Wrapping Paper

Civilization, language, papyrus
writing, print, media, civilization

Wrapping fish, bananas, spreading
on the floor while whitewashing

We see it, everyday, we oblivious;
we seem to have forgotten,
or else are decadent;
We crumple the work of evolution,
industry, and chlorine refinement
in a moment of fickle thought,
to pile up in the waste basket or decorate the floor
like they do in the movies

Paper comes from trees?

Say,
Why then, when those who have not seen,
or else value it, lavish wonder
on multicoloured, shiny wrapping paper,
which in different angles shines red blue yellow green,
which we rip, crumple and throw away
do We,
Sophisticated as we are, look upon them patronizingly?

Jan 5 2008

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