that what’s sed

how then is one to be great
    on time's scale 
    or only humanity's

what is it that can be said for all ages —or all men?
    survival is the statement
    offspring,
    life its clamor

funny, the stir-stick of this desire 
    for lasting
    which 
        no, who
    sets man's mind in motion

though it springs eternal 
    few are we who echo
    whole lakes dry in desertion

to be the centuries' fodder
    and to know it 

no man the text himself
    only context 
    for canon's mouth
        its thirst

what is due 
    of morning's dew
    not to mourn that day
    but love his sun and source
    to dance his evaporation

man is not captain
    but course