CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY^^: 1948, 1951, 1959, 1995, 2023:

HARD-HEADED MEN AND HARD-HEARTED WOMEN — PERENNIALLY, PERSISTENTLY, PERVASIVELY, PERSEVERATINGLY, AND PERNICIOUSLY

ALAN PATON, AUTHOR^^

Chapter 1 [A creation narrative for a post-nuclear ballistic missile world; an entire planet that in 2023, Homo sapiens is apparently on track to destroy what was freely provided in abundance. I ASK, WHY(?), FOR WHOM AND FOR WHAT is Homo sapiens is on track to destroy what was freely provided in abundance(?)]

^^ “There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them, to Carisbrooke; and from there, if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa. About you there is grass and bracken and you may hear the forlorn crying of the titihoya, one of the birds of the veld. Below you is the valley of the Umzimkulu, on its journey from the Drakensberg to the sea; and beyond and behind the river, great hill after great hill; and beyond and behind them, the mountains of Ingeli and East Griqualand.

The grass is rich and matted, you cannot see the soil. It holds the rain and the mist, and they seep into the ground, feeding the streams in every kloof. It is well-tended, and not too many cattle feed upon it; not too many fires burn it, laying bare the soil. Stand unshod upon it, for the ground is holy, being even as it came from the Creator. Keep it, guard it, care…