An Earthly Anthem

Let's not talk
about the stars
or the moon-
we'll instead walk
on the surface
of our earth
with its ready grass
fields, hills, flowers
soil, clay and dust -
get our feet
and hands at work
(never mind the dirt)
to build, nourish,
share and live
in harmony and trust-

(The world badly needs repair
here, there, everywhere )

our place
should not be
in any faraway planet
all we need is to act
on what's before our eyes
that behoves our energy
focus and attention
or we'd fail in meaning
and purpose-

though a Utopia we can't grasp
here's the very raw material
the flesh and sinew , the pulse
that we should gather and mould
to create a mankind
that's binding, sacred and whole-

let the moon
and the stars
be their own

let them look down
in nonchalance
upon the path
we tread upon
as we go round
occupied each day
at our earthly task
in due diligence
grace and humility
without any unneeded complaint
nor the slightest groan.