‘Emblems of the Passing World,’ by Adam Kirsch - The New York Times

‘Emblems of the Passing World,’ by Adam Kirsch - The New York Times: Cities are destroyed by fire
And rise again;
Conquering armies melt away,
Hemorrhaging men;

Leaders proclaim a government
To last forever,
Then walls collapse and refugees
Come pouring over.

Everything passes; he remains
Casting the seed,
Changeless and inescapable
As human need.