Long before sun light
was born from starkness

Long before Earth’s dawn
broiled unsteady hot star fire

Long before She filled
Her scarlet mind
with Yang’s high hills
time was this love

This ancient life
is reborn.

Long before our trees
greenly filled
Mother’s forests

Long before a wind
unsailed to sing
Earth’s wholesome songs

Long before She filled
Her turqjuoise mind
across Her seas,
time rewinds love

This ancient life
health born.

Long before Earth’s great chain
of being
forged ecocidal
egosystems

Long before a voice
could speak
divine creation

Long before She filled
Her bleeding heart
to grow a child
there is Earth’s love

This ancient life
wealth torn.

Long before a Truth
of love’s life
could be broken

Long before our wounds
were nailed upon a Mother Tree

Long before She laid Her body down
under His light
time spins this love

This ancient life
still born.

Wakeful each night
Greeting Earth’s dawning

Stubborn as trees
rebirthing burned
wounded hills

As we fill our healing minds
to hold Earth’s timeless time
This ancient love
Her aching life
flows stumbling on.

Note: This is a theological/ecological reflection on the lyrics to “This Ancient Love” words and music by Carolyn McDade, Copyright by Surtsey Publishing/ 1996, by Carolyn McDade.  These are the word choices I hear when speaking and singing Carolyn McDade’s beautiful composition. Not experienced, meant, intended as an improvement, update, or correction, but as a Both/And communion of sad sacred gratitude, in preparation for Earth Day, 2022.