FOR EVER GREEN

Shall I remember thee, O Earth—
Shall I forget?
Thou art the cradle of mankind—
An empty crib.

Thy children have become exceeding strong—
They have left thee.
The distant stars are now their home—
Thou art bereft.
The voids between the galaxies they cross—
They do not visit thee.
Their worlds are many and prosperous—
Thou art alone.

Thou dreamest of thy past, when infants played with thee—
They come not now.
Thou dreamest of thy prime, when empires bowed to thee—
They kneel no more.
Thou dreamest of thy peace, when pilgrims flocked to thee—
They are gone now.

Shall I remember thee, O Earth?
Thou art forgot.