Each in His Own Tongue A fire mist and a planet, A crystal…
““Each in His Own Tongue A fire mist and a planet, A crystal and a cell, A jellyfish and a saurian, And caves where the cave men dwell; Then a sense of law and beauty, And a face turned from the clod — Some call it Evolution, And others call it God. A haze on the far horizon, The infinite, tender sky, The ripe, rich tint of the cornfields, And the wild geese sailing high; And all over upland and lowland The charm of the goldenrod — Some of us call it Autumn, And others call it God. Like tides on a crescent sea beach, When the moon is new and thin, Into our hearts high yearnings Come welling and surging in; Come from the mystic ocean, Whose rim no foot has trod — Some of us call it Longing, And others call it God. A picket frozen on duty, A mother starved for her brood, Socrates drinking the hemlock, And Jesus on the rood; And millions who, humble and nameless, The straight, hard pathway plod — Some call it Consecration, And others call it God.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A lyrical exploration of humanity’s search for meaning, intertwining evolution, divinity, and yearning across natural and spiritual realms.
In simple terms: We seek meaning in nature and faith.
Embrace both science and spirituality.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- education
- artistic inspiration
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “longing” mean to you?
- How do you reconcile evolution and faith?
The dense imagery may overwhelm some readers.