The Earth Laughs and the Earth Cries

By Hank Edson

The Earth laughs and the Earth cries
Beneath the hoards of crazy people:
“The United States of America, Russia, China, Japan, Iran—
What crazy names they have given me!
Oh, it would be a wonderful laugh
If it were only a novel or on a map.
But look how they build these heavy walls to patrol
And then do nothing but steal from each other.
And while they are building their cities
By cheating my infinite spirit,
They forget they are made of my dust.
They know not that they belong to me
Much more than I belong to them.
My nature is pure of division,
Perfect in every way. Oh, Man,
Accept my superiority,
Confess your ignorant intentions,
And allow my merciful nature
To bring grace to each craving heart—
A balance that may survive!”