A haibun for Frank Tassone’s weekly haikai challenge. The theme is ‘independence’.

It seems as though humanity has had a problem with independent thought since the beginning. In the beginning was the Word, only one, and no one, least of all a creature created to be helpmate to her master, was to share it or beg to differ. Ever since that first put-down, we have found it easier to bow to the greater power, the biggest mouth, the most outrageous promises. We allow horrors to be perpetrated in our name, swallow lies because they taste nice and pat ourselves on the back because we are the purveyors of freedom, independent of all masters, except the greatest of all (and his human side-kicks).

Glory in the unconscious beauty

of the lilies of the field

the birds of the air

not the wielding of power

for cruelty and oppression.