---

Quiet Desperation

(For Earth Day 1990)


the earth rotates another turn
and i wonder what it whispers
when our fragile forests burn
in fires flickering to space
for five billion people
the human race

sounds of screams for wasted dreams
of homes with cars and vcr's
with color tv's glowing
in minds flowing without purpose
waiting and watching carefully
for the traffic light to change
 
hungry people wander the streets
hand in hand there is music dancing
peace and war there is excitement
fear in fear fighting for religions
who care to lay waste to a planet
if the bomb detonates in ignorance
        
i see your curving body blue
in the sunlight beautiful moonlight
and stars compassionate bright
but a desperate lonely face
for five billion people
the human race

---

Copyright © 1989 by Wataru Ebihara