will supersede innate character,
if such a thing, in fact, exists.

consider every infant enters
the world essentially a blank journal.

you might say the quality of the paper
will determine the ultimate value

of the chronicle, but who could argue
that the words to be imprinted there

matter more? if one scribbles
******* on vellum, it remains *******.

take a child by nature gentle,
teach him to excise insect wings

and reward him for such behavior?
he’ll run off in search of butterflies

with no regard except, perhaps,
pride at leaving his indelible stamp

on the natural realm. dear ones,
instruct your youngsters well.