When I was grass, perhaps I may have wept As every year the grass-blades paled and slept;
Or in impotent, beneath
The smooth cropping of great teeth—
I don’t remember much what came to pass
When I was grass.
When I was monkey, I’m afraid the trees
Weren’t always of ease;
Things killed us, and we never could tell why;
No doubt we blamed the earth or sea or sky—
I have forgotten my rebellion’s shape
When I was ape.
Now I have reached the comfortable skin
This stage of living is in,
And hold the spirit of my r............