HOMO SAPIENT

    What could be harder than to get one’s mind
    Around the global problems that our race
    Has wrought by being selfishly inclined—
    Reckless, arrogant, devoid of grace?

    For all the urgings of philosophy
    And exhortations by the pulpiteers,
    We clearly generate more misery
    Inciting now Apocalyptic fears—

    But also the reverse: a noble dream:
    A Global Wisdom Culture we create
    By changing hearts and minds that then redeem
    Us from our lunacy and change our fate.

         That culture can be consciously designed
         We must believe—by sapience refined.

*