Animal
Thoughts on my place in this world
I am an animal.
Sophisticated?
Maybe.
But what does that mean?
Sophisticated how?
How is that measured?
I don't feel it right now,
That sophistication.
Should I?
When I wear a hat and heels?
When I craft or create?
When I use a machine?
Am I sophisticated in my car?
Tapping on a keyboard?
What does it mean to you?
Sophistication speaks of refinement.
It is a word of wonder
Speaking of a level surpassed
To reach enlightened behaviour
And stylishness in thought and what I wear.
That's what sophisticated says to me.
But am I?
Am I those things?
Humans.
Sophisticated animals.
I don't see it.
I don't see the refinement.
I don't see the style.
I don't see the wonder.
But in animals, I see it.
And that's what I want to be.
Animal.
Because I'd rather not be
A sophisticated animal
If that sophistication means
Destruction and disrespect.
I'd rather be wild
And uncultured:
Part of the ecosystem,
Balanced and nuanced,
Harmonious and holistic,
Leafy and listless,
Scavenging and scrabbling:
Surviving.
I'd rather be that
Than the usurper,
The swinging bucket
That tears down trees.
I don't want to be rapacious.
I want to nurture.
I don't want to scorch the earth.
I want to roam it.
I don't want to concrete and make lots.
Hard and grey and uniform.
No!
I want abundance, frothy.
I want green, fresh.
I want blue, liberated.
I want broccoli forests,
Full of monkey screeches.
I am an animal
One of many.
Sophistication is synonymous with superiority
But I don't want to be aloof.
I want to share,
Not rule.
Just an animal of the world.
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read it, please do leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
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'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan8 days ago in Beat
Comments (21)
Nice 👍🙂
Incredible job, keep it up!
Superior effort! Keep the outstanding work—congrats!
If that sophistication means Destruction and disrespect. I'd rather be wild And uncultured: Beautiful lines. Rachel Deeming! I love your lines. Warm Wishes. You can read my poems as well.
Marvelous!!! Love this!!!💕❤️❤️ Congratulations on Top Story!!!
Very thought provoking poem. I'm now pondering the truth in sophistication, whether it's even there at all or merely projected by people in power. Considering animals to be sophisticated is very interesting. I will be sitting on this! Thank you for writing such a unique piece.
This spoke right to my heart. And I wholeheartedly agree. 'Animal' sounds like where we should strive to be. A stunning work by you, both in form and meaning, loved it :)
But in animals, I see it I resonated with that in my uttermost deepest parts
So thoughtful and mature, rightfully deserving Top Story.
I just love this. Congrats on the TS.
Boom! Rachel, this is an awesome poem. So many great words...love the flow...love the power...for some reason I love the way "Sophistication is synonymous with superiority" rolls off the tongue. It's also so true. Congrats on a fine Top Story!
awesome. I have many so-called "sophisticated" people who are not more than - aloof is a mild word. I prefer the down-to-earth animals. We are so much more fun. GREAT story. Love it.
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Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations for the richly merited Top Story!
Wonderful, powerful poetry. I loved it!
Rachel, I love what you've done with this subject, and we obviously feel the same way about humans. They and rats are the only animals that kill their own for no reason. I especially love that you wrote it from the perspective of a personal struggle to fine yourself. Great job!
As long as I can still be indoors and have wifi, then yes to all of this.
As I always say, humans are the worst creation of God. No explanation needed. The plight of the current world says it all. Loved your poem!
I love this, Rachel, & am in complete agreement with you. What we tend to think of as sophisticated is extremely shortsighted. Hannah's got it pegged pretty well I would say, relating it to sophistry.
I can relate. More broccoli forests & monkey screeches, please. Good work!
The idea of sophistication changed drastically for me when I learnt the word sophistry.