Wilder and wiser than eagles
It ranges round the world
Without enemies
And free of cravings.
The child's hand
Folding these wings
Wins no wars and ends them all.
Thoughts of a child's heart
Without care, without weapons!
So the child's eye
Gives life to what it loves
Kind as the innocent sun
And lovelier than all the dragons!
Thomas Merton
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2001
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited