The Earth Forgives

The Earth forgives the Miner’s blast



That rends her crust and burns her skin;

The centuries bring Trees again,

And water, and the Fish therein.

 The Deer at length forgives the Wolf

That tears his throat and drinks his blood;

His bones return to soil, and feed

The trees that flower and fruit and seed.

 And underneath those shady trees

The Wolf will spend her restful days;

And then the Wolf in turn will pass,

And turn to grass the Deer will graze.

 <p class="MsoNormal">All Creatures know that some must die

<p class="MsoNormal">That all the rest may take and eat;

<p class="MsoNormal">Sooner or later, all transform

<p class="MsoNormal">Their blood to wine, their flesh to meat.

<p class="MsoNormal"> <p class="MsoNormal">But Man alone seeks Vengefulness.

<p class="MsoNormal">And writes his abstract Laws on stone;

<p class="MsoNormal">For this false Justice he has made,

<p class="MsoNormal">He tortures limb and crushes bone.

<p class="MsoNormal"> <p class="MsoNormal">Is this the image of a god?

<p class="MsoNormal">My tooth for yours, your eye for mine?

<p class="MsoNormal">Oh, if Revenge did move the stars

<p class="MsoNormal">Instead of Love, they would not shine.

<p class="MsoNormal"> <p class="MsoNormal">We dangle by a flimsy threat,

<p class="MsoNormal">Our little lives are grains of sand:

<p class="MsoNormal">The Cosmos is a tiny sphere

<p class="MsoNormal">Held in the hollow of God’s hand.

<p class="MsoNormal"> <p class="MsoNormal">Give up your anger and your spite,

<p class="MsoNormal">And imitate the Deer, the Tree;

<p class="MsoNormal">In sweet Forgiveness find your joy, For it alone can set you free.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal">from The God's Gardeners Oral Hymnbook from Margaret Atwoods'  Year of the Flood 

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