Mother of the Earth

I’m the mother of the sprawling expansive earth, From the greenest eastern hills to the western shores. I own all those verdant plantations and their owners; All the high quarters and the glittering executive doors. Before the eyes of bubbling presidents opened I was, and their virgin earthly cries drew my notice Before the world knew the existence of waves, The coming of talking toys found my fertile forties. I’m the mother of the trendy multi-colored world But I long ago ceased to claim a single thing in it. They think I need a car and a chauffeur but, No! I just need them to know I own every earth’s bit. They think all I need is a dress and a matching scarf. Of what use is a gown to a mother so full of mirth? I need the haughty prized models only this to know: They hold the fleeting beauty but I own the earth. Their language is the chirruping of restless birds And the mischievous kids think I ought this to learn, They will never unravel the hidden wealth of my idiom That gave them life and prosperity, and wit and fun! I used to teach their deaf ears as their frames grew But they ignored the genuine voice of their true soul, Until another spoke with a weird tempting voice And they naively hearkened to a stranger’ call.