We Have Forgotten Who We Are

​We have forgotten who we are.
 
We have forgotten who we are.
We have alienated ourselves from the unfolding of the cosmos
We have become estranged from the movements of the earth
We have turned our backs on the cycles of life
 
We have forgotten who we are.
We have sought only our own security
We have exploited simply for our own ends
We have distorted our knowledge
We have abused our power.
 
We have forgotten who we are.
Now the land is barren
And the waters are poisoned
And the air is polluted.
 
We have forgotten who we are.
Now the forests are dying
And the creatures are disappearing
And humans are despairing.
 
We have forgotten who we are.
We ask forgiveness
We ask for the gift of remembering
We ask for the strength to change.
 
We have forgotten who we are.
 
— from the U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program