2014: A Hymn by Ursula Leguin

Our prophets lead our people on

     Fast to the promised land,

And where we pass, the green of grass

     Turns to bare brown sand.

So high our cities' towers soar

     Above the deep-set fault,

Immense they rise into the skies,

     Pillars of cloud and salt.

Impatient with the patient day,

     We rush to gain tomorrow.

Our ships that plough the seas with nets

     Leave a long, empty furrow.

Our quick inventions spend our time

     Faster and ever faster,

While kind and unforgiving Earth

     Endures our brief disaster.

For all we do is nothing to

     Her bright eons of days.

So let my dark tune turn and end

     As all song should, in praise.

And in the hope of wisdom yet,

     I'll sing the hymn that praises

Earth's greater life that gives us life,

     the grace that still amazes.  

Ursula K. Leguin, from Late In The Day - Poems 2010 - 2014