Reactionaries vs. Laggards

Any current curls
And creates eddies,
Slow backwater pools,
And sluggish edges,
Cultures included.

Not all things spinning
Calmly, idling while
The waters rush on,
Are beating against,
Or standing athwart,

Or agents at all.
Leaves fall as winds blow
And happen to land
Where they happen to
Fall. Off, down they go,

Some of them going
Hardly anywhere
At all, which may seem
Defiant. Laggards,
However, are not

Reactionaries,
No more than hermits
Are always outlaws.
Leaves’ colorful swirls
Part, unharmed by oars.