I

O nature's allness, here is your son

Our youngest brother who is lost.

We found him behind a prison wall.

We bring him here with this our prayer

to you who are in truth his mother:

Take him back, O nature's allness

Turn him to water, ash and earth!



II

We found him and we carry him

As he was carried by his mother

As pure and unused as a lamb

We found him and we have him here

Turn him to grass and wind and trees

And sweetbriar and rowanberries

A full-grown lad of nineteen years

We found him behind a prison wall

Take him back, O nature's allness!

Take care of our youngest brother.



III

Now we have brought our youngest brother

We found him behind a prison wall

Take him back, O nature's allness

He was your handwork, you his mother

Take care of our youngest brother

Turn him to ashes, wind and earth.