Poem-a-Day April 22: Earth took of earth

Hello Friends —
For Earth Day this year: A poem from the earth to the earth, written in Old English circa 1000, author unknown. For me, the echo of a biblical "dust to dust" in this poem emphasizes the impossibility of clearly delineating a distinction between humans and the planet we inhabit.
Enjoy.
Ellen

Earth Took of Earth

Earth took of earth earth with ill;
Earth other earth gave earth with a will.
Earth laid earth in the earth stock-still:
Then earth in earth had of earth its fill.

***

Erthe Toc of Erthe

Erthe toc of erthe erthe wyth woh,
erthe other erthe to the earthe droh,
erthe leyde erthe in erthene throh,
tho hevede erthe of erthe erthe ynoh.


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Poems in honor of Earth Day were also featured for Poem-a-Day April 21, 2007; Poem-a-Day April 22, 2008; Poem-a-Day April 22, 2009; Poem-a-Day April 22, 2010; and Poem-a-Day April 22, 2011.

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