One long question

Who is to say what life is
           breath as we know it
flesh as we know it
           the division of cells
as we know it
           and endless growth
and reproduction
           and when it was
that mind first entered
           the universe

and names were assigned
           and contemplation
became the order of the day
           and consciousness arose
and feelings of love and of loss
           and dreams bridged the gap
between sleeping and waking
           and art appeared
in the image and likeness
           and the tongue was first
set loose upon the world
           never again to be silenced

John Lyons