FOR EVER GREENShall 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.
© Paul Birch, 30th June 1990.