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much maligned


This is Tobacco -- specifically, Nicotiana rustica. 'Indian tobacco'. 'Mapacho'. So is this -- Nicotiana tabacum. 'Cigarette' tobacco. These are plants. Spirits of Earth.


(a few more words on Tobacco -- by request)


Tobacco -- to borrow words sequenced by Walt Whitman composed for an alternate purpose -- relies upon itself, invites no one, promises nothing, sits in calmness and light, is positive and composed, and knows no discouragement.

In close family relation to Indian tobacco, is a far milder sibling named Nicotiana tabacum -- a plant, on whose back personal and corporate fortunes have been raised and multiplied -- a plant, on whose back also has been laid centuries of blame and contempt. If the following offends, please forgive my effort to raise the weight and infamy off the body of this plant that never asked to be grown in great monocultures, or adulterated with chemical additives, and rolled with fiberglass and glue. Neither has this plant encouraged the commercial, global, marketed manipulation of human patterns and desire that inspires its misuse, nor has it asked to be treated with the paucity of respect with which it has been widely greeted (despite, many may say, strong and clear signals to the contrary).

I will state, as authoritatively as modern medical science suggests I may, that the smoking of cigarettes kills. Their abuse has killed. And it will continue to kill. To personalize this admonition, I will state also that I lost my grandfather, William, to lung cancer.

Nevertheless, they remain plants. They are magnificent species among the myriad families of Creation, and within the plant family, Solanaceae. Their singular, wondrous characters have been identified -- and verified -- independently, across cultures, lands, and time. This is no secret. And as a result, multitudes steer themselves well clear of the individuals -- and sometimes the whole family. Yet, in front of our personal decisions, legislative goals, international trafficking, cultural beliefs, fears, love, and respect, grow these plants -- as they have grown always -- before us.

namasté

you are fine

Posted 3/03/2008   link

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