The Relativity of Necessity

“Who needs it?”

That’s what we say

when what we needed turns out to be

the steady ground after an earthquake, skewing underfoot.

“Oh well.”

That’s what we say

when what we needed turns out to be

a bird’s nest with baby birds still in it, torn off by the wind.

 “Never mind.”

That’s what we say

when what we needed turns out to be

a deer that gets up after being hit by a car, and runs off into the dark.

“I can do without it.”

That’s what we say

when what we needed turns out to be

an orphaned calf with a wolf-pack on its trail, struggling through the snow.

“Forget I ever mentioned it.”

That’s what we say

when what we needed turns out to be

the wind on a bare hillside after a fire, rushing past the blackened stumps.