EXCELSIOR

                    Discerning what is valuable and then
                    Creating it is our distinctive goal
                    As human beings, and well within our ken;
                    Too often, though, it’s the contrary pole
                    Of menace and destruction that prevails
                    In our behaviors, to our species’ shame,
                    Because of which our grand potential fails
                    To manifest and reach its destined aim.
                    What would it take to make it to such heights?
                    What wise amendment of our errant ways,
                    What guidance by truly illumined lights
                    Exalting us by their supernal blaze?
                         To find our way to that illustrious place
                         Is the implicit mission of our race.

*

[verse # 1934]