noontime forests

if we will measure only the green glow
of noontime forests we may not learn all
that we desire the way that the slight fall
of tired leaves has marked off what we know
from what is hidden not a daily show
but something that might lead us just to call
our hearts to action the sun must stand tall
above our heads and our feet not be slow
not now the time for hope in magic forms
our choices must be urgent and depend
upon the blending of our thought and sight
it is our duty to obey the norms
not to bow down before each changing trend
but always to proclaim the rising light