Copper Sun (Cullen)/To Lovers of Earth: Fair Warning

Copper Sun
by Countee Cullen
To Lovers of Earth: Fair Warning
4122679Copper Sun — To Lovers of Earth: Fair WarningCountee Cullen

To Lovers of Earth: Fair Warning

GIVE over to high things the fervent thoughtYou waste on Earth; let down the righteous barAgainst a wayward peace too dearly boughtUpon this pale and passion-frozen star.Sweethearts and friends, are they not loyal? FarMore fickle, false, perverse, far more unkindIs Earth to those who give her heart and mind.
And you whose lusty youth her snares intrigue,Who glory in her seas, swear by her clouds,With Age, man’s foe, Earth ever is in league.Time resurrects her even while he crowdsYour bloom to dust, and lengthens out your shroudsA day’s length or a year’s; she will be young,When your last cracked and quivering note is sung.
She will remain the Earth, sufficient still,Though you are gone and with you that rare lossThat vanishes with your bewildered will.And there shall flame no red, indignant crossFor you, no quick white scar of wrath embossThe sky, no blood drip from a wounded moon,And not a single star chime out of tune.