Nature, Observation, Resiliency and Taking a Position

Humanity often exhibits an inflated view of itself. This arrogance and lack of shame can be seen very acutely in our relationship with nature. We should learn that through observation of non-human nature, humanity can learn much about resiliency, good design and taking on appropriate, defined roles. All too often though, As Hamlet recited, we let "conscience make cowards of us all." Nevertheless, I maintain this need not be the case, it is simply that it is the human condition to have to learn to wield consciousness as a tool or to be a slave to it. From unconscious nature we can learn the most appropriate ways to work and to satisfy our needs. Nature does not let obstacles deter it from its purpose of survival. Nature perseveres in its quest for life or it dies. There is no middle ground for non-human life. This is a key lesson that humanity should learn. If our aim is to live, which it should be, we should do everything in our effort to live well. To live well we must practice determined reason to satisfy our goals.
I commend George Moses Horton for capturing these lessons for life so well in his poem On Summer. The pace and movement of the poem reflect the unwavering momentum of summer life. That drive is shown in the hawk who disposes of his fear, the "ceaseless hum" of the bee, the farmer who "hastens from the heat," and, especially moving to me, "the burdened ox with dauntless rage/ flies heedless to the liquid flood/ from which he quaffs, devoid of gauge/ regardless of the driver's rod." The ox, like the slave who frees him or herself, does not let oppression keep it from its needs.
I think that Wheatley's On Imagination contains the opposing approach in which consciousness does indeed brew cowardice. The speaker in her poem daydreams about an ideal nature, missing the struggle for existence that nature is going through. In comparison to this ideal, of course the speaker is dissuaded to action, pitifully accepting her horrible lot. Such an ideal can only result in stagnation, because hoping for that which which is unattainable causes people to turn inwards and to second guess their desires and needs.
So let us remember Horton's poem when we live, observe, work and love so that we can do all those things to the degree necessary to gain freedom.