Progress

An illustrated poem about human nature

Illustrations by Willem van der Merwe

A long time ago, the forest extended everywhere, in all directions, a dense canopy of trees.
A majestic sight, it was truly the land of the free.
Then along came a group of settlers who cut a path inland from the sea.

Progress

More boats arrived bringing throngs of people.
We should worship inside a church with a steeple.
Let’s harvest some wood from this wild place and build something regal.

Progress

The colonists multiplied and the village needed a bigger farm.
But man was so smart it was no cause for alarm.
We’ll clear another plot for planting right over here. What could be the harm?

Progress

Soon the village became a town, and then the town grew rapidly into a concrete-filled city.
Our wilderness is disappearing…