Earthday

HOIST THE SAILS!

(By John McConnell)

Four billion years ago

our lonely Earth

Set sails on cosmic seas

Guided by an unseen hand

of nature, God or chance.

As life evolved

through endless eco-cycles

Man was born, destined

to destroy or enrich

the Precious Ship.

And now his hand

has seized the tiller

but his ear has not

yet caught the Captain's

Quiet command.

The sails are down, the ship becalmed,

Its fragile life at stake.

No longer do we ride the gentle swells of

Silent seas and breathe

the fragrant air.

Broken are the rhythms

of our cyclic plants

and other living things.

But now the Captain speaks again

our quiet thoughts at last reveal his voice.

"Hoist the sails, Earth Man.

Set them for celestial winds.

Hold the tiller firm,

The course ahead is clear.

"Be He nature, God or chance

His voice is heard and we shall heed

The Captain's quiet command.