Mankind

As rolling clouds of black reveal the light

And dawn softly blows away the night

The shoulders of the earth are placed

In silhouette, against the morning’s face.

With last, light, twinkle, fading stars away

As moment most in night, gives way to day.

Man from his silent slumbers slowly wakes

And on his back his weighing burden takes.

A fellow strange and varied have we here.

He knows both wanton laugh and anguished tear.

Both Satan’s evil force and God’s own creed

Tear him, and rebuke him for his deeds.

Mankind with this hand he calls his own

Reached up for skies where only birds had flown,

Found secrets hidden deep in fathomed tombs,

With this hand, will he create his doom?

Mankind is a lonesome, selfish one

Suspicious of his brothers and his sons.

Lest by another’s hand he might be burned

He lives life tense, with face and heart unturned.

The soul is free from fateful chains that bind.

Each man’s fate’s his own to shape and grind.

For what man gives away in love to keep

An equal measure shall he someday reap.

But let love reign and compassion tool,

If Mankind could but live the Golden Rule,

Then would pain and sorrow fade away

And peace and joy return at last to stay.

And lingering velvet curtains of the night

Would fall around no more to hide the light.

The sound of angel voices could we hear

If only Earth were free from greed and fear.