Earth Mother

I have been long before you, son,
I will last long after you.

Armies have marched over my soil,
And looted and pillaged and murdered,
They tore babies from their mothers,
They hunted men like animals.

I did not cry, my son.

Brother has deceived brother,
Lies and treachery have ruled the land,
Honest men have starved, cheats became kings
And fools have been granted wealth.

I did not cry, my son.

Men have trapped themselves in rules
And waved flags of assumed identity;
They have rejoiced over trifles
And learned to ignore reality.

I did not cry, my son.

Men will do far foolish things,
They will create sharper knives, deadlier guns,
And they will cheat and loot and pillage
And do things you dare not imagine.

I will not cry, my son.

I have been long before you, son,
I will last long after you.