Aaron's Song
To mark 2011 as the UN-designated “International Year of Forest”, Aaron Keillor Ray wrote a song entitled Human Vanity. He also created a mural to accompany the song, and presented it at the Chalk the Walk festival.
Following are images of Aaron and his mural, the lyrics of the song, and a link to a recording of the song. The recording is available with special thanks to Tim Hallman.
Human Vanity
by Aaron Keillor Ray
the mighty tree, how tall you stand,
yet still you fall to the greed of man.
they’ll bend you, break you; but don’t be sad,
because after all, “it’s not so bad.”
for what once had a use in the wild,
food and shelter, taken so mild.
for a purpose brought on by humanity’s vanity,
corruption, destruction, falls to insanity
a cabinet? a desk? possibly a door?
how could anyone ask for more?
but what of the mammals, insects and birds?
what will they do afterwards?
when nothing is left but a stump on the ground,
nothing more left to be found.
for what once was a use in the wild,
food and shelter, taken so mild.
for a purpose so foolish, ignorant and vain,
a fine table top can’t be put back again!
economy is nuts! what a terrible taste,
once you see our planet left in a waste.
