Earth Reborn

The Garden of Eden (1613) by Jan Brueghel the Elder

O’ how He loves all mankind

And grieves each soul left behind.

Yet as He rescued the Church His bride

So too He came for the world wide.

Yea, hanging on the rugged tree,

Did he not, as for you and me,

Make plea for that old dogwood,

That it be raised for purpose good?

It’s petals to scent Heaven’s air

Or perhaps adorn women’s hair,

Or for children to climb aloft,

Or just to be as it always ought.

And if such a one as this,

Dead and cursed, indeed soulless,

Can be dressed in righteous clothes,

How much more the sparrow or the rose?