Burning Less Brightly

Tiger,tiger burning bright Now fast fading into night, Once you stood for grace and speed. Now thanks to our rapacious greed Signs of your presence dwindle fast, Not much longer can you last, Victim of fear and ignorance, Your bones ground for profit-balance. Old men seek fresh zest from your dead bones Powdered to resurrect their dead stones. For this a noble life you do remit Until this earth your species quit. Will we be left with phantom photographs To haunt us as your final epitaphs? Are you to become the new dinosaurs Wiped out by man's neglect of earthly laws? Is this the legacy we wish to leave One that will cause us all to grieve For idly destroying such a savage beauty By mindlessly forsaking to life our duty?