The crimes of me and mine exceed
The crimes which have been done to us,
Ours driven by contempt and greed,
Theirs nature’s frugal impetus.
I pray that God forgive my sins
But paramount these animals
Who do not feel the conscience wince
Remorseful as it comes in squalls.
Lord, we have plundered and despoiled,
Lord, maimed, bereaved, tormented, killed,
And our own better nature foiled,
Pretending it was heaven-willed.