The Father of Earth

If once a wandering star

Dwelt, as our seers teach,

Trillions of miles afar

And moved within our reach,

If as it neared it drew

Planets from out the sun

By that force Newton knew,

Worlds of which we are one,

And went alone away;

Then should we not search Space,

Ardent as those that pray,

For any fading trace

Of that great traveler

But for whose journeying

There'd be no buds to stir

Through any soil in Spring,

No birds to sing and mate,

No leaves to welcome light,

No one to question Fate

Mute in the deeps of Night.