growing up

not here nor now we learn the final worth

of what we were and how the measure lay

implicit in the moment of first birth

 

when nothing mattered but the massive dearth

of justice hope and truth we all were prey

not here nor now we learn the final worth

 

of all the horrors turning into mirth

as means by which we could the hurt allay

implicit in the moment of first birth

 

as tiny brook proclaims the giant firth

so many miles and many hours away

not here nor now we learn the final worth

 

of secret things each resting in its berth

not to be spoken of or used in play

implicit in the moment of first birth

 

the naked fact that soon we must unearth

raw force that's latent in the ruddy clay

not hear nor now we learn the final worth

implicit in the moment of first birth