So many Gods, so many creeds, So many paths that wind and wind, While just the art of being kind Is all the sad world needs. I am the voice of the voiceless: Through me, the dumb shall speak Till the deaf world’s ear be made to hear The cry of the wordless weak. From street, from cage and from kennel, From jungle and stall, the wail Of my tortured kin proclaims the sin Of the mighty against the frail For love is the true religion, And love is the law sublime; And all is wrought, where love is not Will die at the touch of time. Oh shame on the mothers of mortals Who have not stopped to teach Of the sorrow that lies in dear, dumb eyes, The sorrow that has no speech. The same power formed the sparrow That fashioned man-the king The God of the whole gave a living soul To furred and to feathered thing. I am my brother’s keeper, I will fight his fight And speak the word for beast and bird Till the world shall set things right.