The Earth Is the Lord's

The earth is the Lord's and its fullness
 is granted to us as a trust
to cherish, protect and to care for,
 and give the respect that we must.
For all of our world then is sacred,
 the source of the life that it feeds.
Each forest and marsh has a purpose,
 there's breath of divine in each seed.

God lends us the sun and the water
 and soil that gives bountiful yields,
but much is reserved for the wealthy
 though hunger is still not repealed.
Why are we at odds with our planet
 consuming far more than we need?
But greed or indifference blinds us
 and nature continues to bleed.

What's left for the next generation,
 when finite resources are drained,
when earth is defiled by its people
 and widespread extinctions profane?
Our garbage pollutes distant oceans,
 our tailpipes promote climate harm.
Must remedies wait on our neighbours;
 will we remain deaf to alarms?

For progress to have lasting value,
 our actions must be what sustains
the health and the balance of nature;
 as stewards, we tend God's domain.
So use this inheritance wisely,
 and learn to live amply with less.
Then keep this eighth day of Creation
 a covenant bond we can bless.

text © Allan Baer, 2013
290 Indian Rd. Kingston ON Canada K7M 1T8
email: allanbaer7@gmail.com
website: www.crossroadsunited.ca/spirit