Here is the full text of the work.
In the beginning
God created the Heavens and the earth.
He did establish it,
He created it not in vain.
He formed it to be inhabited:
Out of the ground did the Lord God
Form every beast of the field
And every fowl of the air;
And of the dust of the ground did God form man,
Of the earth are we made, as all living.
The Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof,
The world and they that dwell therein.
And God made man a steward over all things,
For the earth is full of the knowledge of God,
Untried, we awaken to divine charge.
Surely in the beginning we are beguiled.
Subtle spells are cast.
Numinous splendor enraptures our senses;
Light and sight bedazzle us.
Cycles of the earth define color;
Blue-dark night breaking to pastel morning,
Green's abundance and daylight's riches of gold
Illuminate kaleidoscopic gardens.
Endless song seduces; major to minor,
Daylight to darkness,
Silence coming only with death.
Yielding, we are drawn forward into innumerable connections.
Fragile threads woven together
Balance intricate riddles of creation's community.
Each touch shivering through earth's gossamer scaffolding.
The meek shall inherit the earth.
And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things.
But they who profess to know God but in their works deny Him;
Walk in the vanity of their minds, having their understanding darkened
Who, being past feeling, work all uncleaness with greediness,
To get gain, to be praised of men, that they might get gold and silver:
They have set their hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world,
For which they do murder and plunder, and steal and bear false witness,
And do all manner of evil.
Their riches shall perish in their fingers, and they with them.
And from them shall there be an accounting of all things.
For the earth shall groan from wickedness, and the dust shall cry out
And shall bear witness.
And man shall hear the voice of God saying:
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Declare if thou hast understanding.
Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?
Who laid the cornerstone thereof?
When the morning stars sang together
And the sons of God shouted for joy?
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days?
And caused the dayspring to know his place?
Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea
Or walked in search of the depth?
Have the gates of death been opened to thee?
Where is the way where light dwelleth?
And as for darkness, where is the place thereof?
Knowest thou it because thou wast born?
Or because the number of thy days is great?
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?
Hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?
By what way is the light parted which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
Hath the rain a father?
Or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven?
Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
You have chosen.
Your countenance is seen on the face of the land
And so you shall be judged.
And on the faithful shall the spirit be poured out
And the wilderness be a fruitful field,
And the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness,
And righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
And the work of righteousness shall be peace
And you shall dwell in a peaceable habitation
And in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places.
The Blue Ridge Fellows program offers grants to individuals conducting scientific research or who are exploring the relationship between the environment, the arts, and humanities.
