In the age of exploration,
Armed with new technologies,
We began with a voyage
And did not stop;
We freed the imagination
And worked to death.
We set out to harness the resources of
Vast spaces,
Looking for the Source-
The Major Powers.
What we discovered
Was disaster.
Subjugated to its control,
Most let go of their powers
Just before the outbreak of monsters-
Exploiting and killing;
Insatiable greed.
Nearly exterminated,
We lost contact with the outside world.
But traders and religious refugees
Arrived in the heart of darkness,
And did not abandon their hold on
The free and independent.
In a bloody war,
They greeted the Explorers with these words:
“To tame the burden
Which made you barely human,
We exterminated that which
Wrested control.
You’ve finally won independence.”
In the age of civilization,
Armed with new technologies,
We began a voyage
And did not stop;
We freed the imagination,
And work to death.
“I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.”
– Lillian Smith
In The Age of Exploration: Reflections on Progress and Its Price
Dear Poets,
"In The Age of Exploration" delves into the duality of human progress—charting the ambitious strides of exploration and technology against the backdrop of their environmental and societal tolls. This poem serves as a meditation on the cyclical nature of human endeavor, from the heights of discovery to the depths of conflict and back.
The Dawn of Discovery
"In the age of exploration, Armed with new technologies, We began with a voyage And did not stop; We freed the imagination And worked to death."
These opening lines encapsulate the spirit of the Age of Exploration, a time brimming with the promise of new technologies and the boundless curiosity of the human spirit. Yet, this relentless pursuit is marked by a somber note—the cost of such progress on human lives and labor.
The Double-Edged Sword of Progress
"We set out to harness the resources of Vast spaces, Looking for the Source - The Major Powers. What we discovered Was disaster."
The poem critically examines the notion of 'discovery'—a quest that, while driven by the desire to uncover and harness the world's resources, often culminates in environmental degradation and societal upheaval. It reflects on the ironic tragedy where the pursuit of 'Major Powers' leads to 'disaster.'
The Loss of Control and Identity
"Subjugated to its control, Most let go of their powers Just before the outbreak of monsters - Exploiting and killing; Insatiable greed."
Here, the narrative shifts to the consequences of unchecked ambition and exploitation, symbolized by the 'outbreak of monsters.' This metaphor speaks to the destructive forces unleashed by insatiable greed, leading to a loss of autonomy and the erosion of moral and social fabric.
The Reckoning and Redemption
"Nearly exterminated, We lost contact with the outside world. But traders and religious refugees Arrived in the heart of darkness, And did not abandon their hold on The free and independent."
The poem hints at a turning point, where amidst the brink of annihilation, the arrival of traders and refugees symbolizes a glimmer of hope—a refusal to let go of the ideals of freedom and independence despite the prevailing 'heart of darkness.'
The Cycle Repeats
"In a bloody war, They greeted the Explorers with these words: 'To tame the burden Which made you barely human, We exterminated that which Wrested control. You’ve finally won independence.'"
The climax reveals a bitter struggle for liberation, a war to reclaim what was lost to the forces of greed and exploitation. It's a poignant reminder of the cost of regaining humanity and independence.
A Reflection on Civilization
"In the age of civilization, Armed with new technologies, We began a voyage And did not stop; We freed the imagination, And work to death."
The poem closes by drawing a parallel between the age of exploration and the current age of civilization—suggesting a perpetual cycle of human endeavor. Despite the lessons of the past, the drive to explore, to innovate, and the toll it takes on society and the environment persist.
"In The Age of Exploration" is a reflection on the paradox of progress—the incredible achievements and the profound costs. It invites us to ponder the true meaning of exploration and civilization in a world where the pursuit of the new is often shadowed by the consequences of the past.
With introspective regards,
E. A. Bland
P.S. As we navigate our own age of exploration and technology, may we strive to balance the wonders of discovery with the wisdom of restraint. Stay Poetic!
Source Material: Kidder, David S., Oppenheim, Noah, “The Intellectual Devotional.”, Rodale Inc., 2012, pp. 204