though not the wild
the vanishing wild
consum’d by
cement
technology
and violence
this alternate paradise
must suffice as paradise
until Nature’s children
germinate
from Mankind’s progress
… or Mankind’s ashes
stand We firm
upon the graves
of Elders and Brethren
who pray’d and stretch’d
each day
towards Blue Heaven
towards Nightfall’s twinkling eyes
ere their footholds
were drown’d by Rainfall’s bender
or shear’d by bellowing Air
or Time’s final blessing
from time’s weaning
to Eden
to redwood saplings
to when Everest was but a plain with child
to when clouds cry’d into Atlantic canyons
to when a candle yawn’d and stretch’d
and marry’d Night with Day
Oh, yes
We were there
to casting my own shadow
upon green flesh
breaking ground
till leafless gray
groom’d my breathless limbs
for others to shelter
for inquiring minds to nourish
at my newest splendor
I am at home
loujen haxm'Yor 