April 22, 1998

Where Our Wonder Went

there was a time when wonder

filled our eyes, which seeing

revelled in the beauty seen

the awe struck

mouth agape

standing stock still gaze

of the ardent admirer

that beauty, that wonder, which all the world amazed

see here!

look there!

it’s been done but here alone

nowhere else is this to be had

       come

               look

                       marvel

we put an end to that

wonder no longer fills our day

we worry now o’er growing digits

science has left us no magic

it has failed us bad

we breathe

exhale

and breathe again

our heart asurge within us

our muscles supple move

never stopping to wonder

at the miracle just done

air turned into life

we think to act

and act out thought

and a million thoughtless more

who cares!

that love can turn to life

and grow to breathe its own

our romance is dead

we have been lied to

and we believe

our wonder has been robbed

and we ignore the crime

God gave to us the grandest gift

life,

and its appreciation

and we have trodden down

His truth

for the lie of man

that says

this is all but chance

how could wonder stay

where love itself could not

denying the glory of creation

we make even our greatest feats

no more than termite nests in scope

we have no more wonder

nor have we hope

After reading “Time and Again,”

and “From Time to Time” and the joy

Simon Morely had in what surrounds him.

Both were written by Jack Finney.