Distinctions

It has been said
That an Eskimo has
Twenty-seven separate
Distinctions of snow,
Now you and I
Might have three or four
Or if we are a skier,
Seven or eight.
If we were put
In an icy arctic environment
What are the chances
Of our survival?
Not very good,
But the Eskimo
Would do just fine.
It is his distinctions
That give him power
In the environment
In which he operates.
If the Eskimo was to be
Plopped down in the middle of
New York City,
He would apt to have
Just as much difficulty
Surviving there
As we would
In his environment.
I propose that there are
Distinctions applicable to
Every environment,
And to whatever situation
We might be
Trying to survive.
How about dating,
Or mating
And getting along
With our fellow man?
What if there were
Distinctions to being human,
Subtle truths which apply
To men and women alike,
Crossing boundaries of
Age, culture, language
And politics?
If so, it might
Benefit us greatly
To figure out
What they are!