VIKRAM SETH (born Calcutta, India, 1952) is the author of the novels The Golden Gate (1986), A Suitable Boy (1993) and An Equal Music (1999), and of books of poetry, travel, fable and memoir.

‘Earth’ is part of a sequence of poems, Seven Elements, incorporating the elements in the European, Indian and Chinese traditions (earth, air, fire, water, wood, metal and space). Set to music by the composer Alec Roth, Seven Elements will be performed in summer 2009 at the Salisbury, Chelsea and Lichfield festivals.