America once was bountiful,
except in times of disaster and famine.
The limited number of humans
were insufficient to destroy the land.
Small tribes migrated from Asia,
and hunted, fished and grew a little corn,
but in the abundance of the land
they didn't use much. Neither did they ruin
everything for everyone else.
The Indians weren't particularly noble,
or dreadfully savage, compared to other invaders,
like the Europeans, who came to these unspoiled shores
with gifts of greed, disease and destruction,
stored in the hulls of their bold ships.

And the heirs of America, sons and daughters,
who never learned their duty to nature
and are blind to the needs of the future,
have poured enough concrete to smother the earth,
have spread poisonous chemicals
that pollute our air and water,
so the lords of profit can flourish.
Perhaps someday, before it is too late,
our clever science will find a way
to make our toxic water drinkable,
our tainted air breathable.
Now it is beyond our scope and means
to ensure that the children of tomorrow
will be sustained in this fragile life,
on this much abused land.