Birth Place
By May Miller
Mankind,
Surrender a fancied dream of birth.
Accept science of recent years.
To date, Africa marks first form of man;
here in dust most recent proof lies.
History here emerges bone by bone.
Dig—dig—dig.
May Africa reward the search
if only through eroded bones.
Fit them together; date them.
Shape the skeleton of earliest man.
This is history.
Sing another song in vain.
In vain contrive a different tune.
Dust will prevail.
It always does.
May Miller, “Birth Place” from Collected Poems, published by Lotus Press. Copyright © 1970 by May Miller. Used by permission of the Estate of May Miller.
Source:
Collected Poems
(Lotus Press, 1970)