Chris Jepson: While Rome burns

“We must cultivate our garden.” – Voltaire

While Rome burns. I have every confidence that, all things considered, romance trumps virtually every human experience. September 4, 476 A.D. is identified as the “day” Rome collapsed. Go to the bank that some toga-clad Antonius was wooing the most divine Fabiana as the last Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the barbarian, Odoacer. Their minds and, inevitably, their loins entwined in the passion of that immediate—not-to-be-denied—”moment” of love.

I do not think it mere coincidence that our literature and our media (movies, TV, radio, et al) place such a premium on the coin of romance. Sure, the end may be approaching, the apocalypse on the horizon, zombies at the door, a climate-induced worldwide environmental collapse unfolding, but invariably the comely lass triggers some action by the handsome lad and the audience applauds that hope (humanity) survives. We place a premium on love that it will not be denied, that love “conquers” all.

Recall the book and 1965 movie “Doctor Zhivago.” Set during the throes of the Russian revolution, the plot is the all-consuming romance between the good doctor (Omar Sharif) and Lara (Julie Christie). While they do not survive as a couple, the takeaway is that love endures – even if society does not.

One of my favorite pieces of literature is Voltaire’s “Candide.” In that marvelous story, romance is the catalyst that gets our hero (Candide) booted from the “garden” and on the road. Love inspires his quest to reunite with his cherished Cunégonde. Unfortunately, in this story, romance does not conquer all and optimism does not prevail. Voltaire was a pessimist or, as I prefer, a skeptic when it came to the human condition. As am I.

But I am an indefatigable romantic. And why not?

Why not? Because. Never in the history of our species have we been so inundated with daily, nay, hourly, nay, minute-by-minute worldwide updates on the human condition — our depravity, brutality, corruption, violence, misogynism and despair.

And, if you read between the scientific lines, it’s over environmentally. Even if we abruptly changed course today (and that will not happen), we will be unable to return Earth to a cleaner pre-industrial climate standard. It is not the end of our species. Hardly. But folks, there’s “a hard rain coming” for much of our fellow man (if not us).

I used to say, as a joke, “Thank Gawd for videotape,” because we’ll be able to see all the species we so cavalierly wiped-out. It’s not so funny these days as our onslaught of the Earth’s natural habitat continues unabated, nay, at an accelerated pace. We’ll justifiably consume the entire planet to feed every new and existing mouth.

Which gets me back to an irony of love. Our passion (lust/desire/romance) for each other is a result of evolution, to get our genes into the next generation. We glorify love (and should) but its byproduct (us) is killing the planet.

But as Scarlett O’Hara so famously reflected, “I won’t think about that now, I’ll think about that tomorrow.” And don’t we.

For my more selective readers I recommend two marvelously romantic CDs by Melody Gardot, “My One and Only Thrill” and “The Absence.”

Inspiring music for your garden. Interesting that so much of human myth and literature revolves around the metaphor of a “garden.” The Bible has “us” tossed out, yet both Epicurus and Voltaire suggested we retreat and … tend ours. Do so with hope.

Jepson is a 24-year resident of Florida. He’s fiscally conservative, socially liberal, likes art and embraces diversity of opinion. Reach him at [email protected]