"Why Can’t We Be Like Them?" (Why Does Nature Feel More Human Than Us)

Introduction :

“Why Can’t We Be Like Them?” is a thoughtful poem comparing human struggles with nature’s quiet wisdom. It asks why we hide, judge, and break apart, while the sky, mountains, and seas embrace all they are without fear. Through gentle reflection, it invites us to grow, forgive, and live more honestly — like the world around us.

    "Why Can’t We Be Like Them?"

(Why Does Nature Feel More Human Than Us)

Last day, bored, I went out for a walk—

Just a short one, or so I thought.

But five hours passed in nature's care,

Mountains in the distance, forest air.

I came back home with a quieter mind,

Thinking of the peace I’d left behind.

How calm it felt, how real, how right.

It made me pause and think that night.

Have you ever wondered, looked and cared,

Why the sky feels more alive, than us have dared?

It holds the storms, the stars, the sun, the moon—

While we shut doors and push hearts away too soon.

We push away what we don’t understand,

Judging others with a cold, tight hand.

We don’t accept the parts of us inside,

While the sky holds all with open pride.

The clouds let tears fall down like rain,

But we keep sorrow locked in pain.

They wash away the hurt and grief,

While we hold grudges without relief.

Mountains stand patient, tall, and still,

Not seeking praise, not chasing will.

But we compare and doubt our worth,

Running from things smaller than ourselves.

The grasslands stretch wide, open, free,

But we hide our truths we dare not see.

Where winds bring peace across the plains,

Our hearts echo with silent pains.

Forests grow wild with death and birth,

Welcoming change, respecting earth.

Yet we resist the change we need,

Clinging tight to pain and greed.

The desert survives on little and bare,

Honest and strong, stripped down to care.

While we wear masks just to feel whole,

Hiding fear deep in our soul.

The sea is deep and speaks its truth,

Calm or angry, it shows its proof.

But we smile wide while breaking inside,

Afraid to be raw, afraid to confide.

Nature connects — the grass to trees,

The sky to seas, the desert breeze.

But we break bonds, keep others out,

Chasing envy, living in doubt.

So why can’t we be more like them?

Why can’t we stop and just begin—

To love, forgive, and let things mend,

And shine together like the stars

 

       —Shahzad Sulaiman

my message in clear words:

                         Have you ever wondered why the sky, the clouds, the mountains, the grasslands, the forests, the deserts, and the sea feel more alive and better than us humans?

Let’s take a look:

The sky accepts everything with open arms—the sun, the moon, the stars, even the storms and lightning. No one ever hears, “Get out, you don’t belong here.” But we? We judge. We push people away just because we don’t like them, or because we’re jealous in some way. We can’t even accept parts of ourselves. The sky holds both beauty and darkness in a single breath—but sadly, we limit ourselves to only the darkness.

The clouds weep heavily—they don’t hold back their tears. But because of our cruelty, not a single tear escapes our eyes. The cloud let the rain go. We, for some strange reason, hold on—clinging to memories only to feel pain, suffering, and grudges. We bottle up the storm inside until it rots us from within.

Mountains are huge and patient. They don’t ask to be seen—they simply exist. But we? We are small and impatient, always craving attention. A mountain never compares itself to another mountain, never doubts another mountain’s worth. But we constantly compare and question each other. A mountain wouldn’t fear something smaller than itself—but we run like fools from even a rat.

The grasslands are wide open. They stretch endlessly in every direction without hiding anything. Our hearts, on the other hand, are closed—even to ourselves. We hide everything, or at least someone. Grasslands are home to many creatures, and the peaceful sound of the wind can be heard everywhere. But our hearts are home only to negativity, and instead of wind, we hear only terrifying screams inside.

The forests are full of life—hidden and wild. They grow silently and allow decay to nourish new growth. There is so much wisdom in how they accept change. But us? We fear change. We cling to things we love, even when they’re hurting us. We resist growth if it brings pain. We don’t let go of the old & past with grace—we just keep holding on, not realizing that new life is waiting with beauty we haven’t seen yet.

The desert looks empty, but it’s not. It’s full of resilience—life that survives with almost nothing. The desert is silent, harsh, but honest and holy. There’s no pretending in the desert. But we? We lie to ourselves. We wear masks. We constantly seek comfort to feel alive or meaningful. We won’t survive without praise, attention, or softness. We've forgotten how to be strong in silence.

The sea is vast, deep, mysterious, and honest. When it’s calm, it whispers wave by wave. When it’s angry, it crashes—but it never pretends. Our hearts, in contrast, are narrow, shallow, and corrupt. We smile when we’re falling apart. We say “I’m fine” when we’re not. We’re afraid to be raw, afraid to be too much. We crave depth, but we live in shallow waters.

All of these things—grasslands, forests, mountains, deserts—they connect. One leads into the other like an open hand saying, “From here, it’s all yours—take it.” But our hearts refuse to connect. We don’t truly care. We ask, “Why does that person have what I don’t? It should’ve been me.”

So the question is:

Why can’t we live together in peace the way nature does?

Why are we doing this to ourselves and each other?

What are we really trying to prove?

Let’s forgive each other—from the heart. Let’s accept one another with open arms. Let’s forget the pain, let go of the grudges. Let’s shine together—like stars.

Disclaimer: This poem reflects personal thoughts and emotional reflections of the author. It is not intended to judge or generalize human nature but to inspire self-awareness, peace, and emotional honesty through the lens of nature's silent wisdom.

NOTE: These poems are personal expressions, drawn from real emotions, life experiences, and heartfelt dreams. You are welcome to read and reflect, but copying, downloading, or using them as your own is not allowed. If you wish to share a poem or use a part of it in your artwork, post, or project, please give proper credit to the original author: Shahzad Sulaiman (Sultan of Hearts) Thank you for respecting the creative effort and honesty behind each word.