We’ve never gotten to it,
With all our learning keen.
We simply cannot do it
With any fine machine.
Old Nature’s lanterns greet us
When dusk succeeds the sun.
A thousand miles they beat us
On all we’ve ever done.
In spite of shining crescent
And starbeam’s boasted light,
The firefly’s incandescent
Most glorifies the night.
Across the meadows flying
Cold light it generates.
We, too, have long been trying,
But Time still stands and waits.