I write in many an idle way,
Thinking one serious thought.
‘O flowers, a fine Greek name ye bear,
And with a fine Greek grace.’
Be still, O heart, that turns to share
The sunshine of a face.
‘Have ye no messages-no brief,
Still sign: ‘Despair’, or ‘Hope’?’
A sudden stir of stem and leaf-
A breath of heliotrope!
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‘O warrior with the burnished arms
Pray tell me of the lurid charmsOf service and the fierce alarms:The storming of the castle,The charge across the smoking field,The rifles’ busy rattleWhat thoughts inspire the men who wieldThe blade-their gallant souls how steeledAnd fortified in battle.’‘Nay, man of peace, seek not to knowWar’s baleful fascination-The soldier’s hunger for the foe,His dread of safety,…
Dimly apparent, through the gloom
A queue of people, parti-sexed,Awaiting the command of ‘Next!’A sidewalk booth, a dingy sign:‘Teeth dusted nice-five cents a shine.’
I’d long been dead, but I returned to earth.
A mess of, and I came to see that worthReceived its dues. I’d hardly finished waking,The grave-mould still upon me, when my eyePerceived a statue standing straight and high.‘Twas a colossal figure-bronze and goldNobly designed, in attitude commanding.A toga from its shoulders, fold on fold,Fell to the pedestal on which ’twas standing.Nobility it had and…
Like a worn mother he attempts in vain
The more he rocks the cradle of his chinThe more uproarious grows the brat within.
I saw a man who knelt in prayer,
‘I’ll lay my inmost spirit bareTo-day.‘Lord, for to-morrow and its needI do not pray;Let me upon my neighbor feedTo-day.‘Let me my duty duly shirkAnd run awayFrom any form or phase of workTo-day.‘From Thy commands exempted stillLet me obeyThe promptings of my private willTo-day.‘Let me no word profane, no lieUnthinking sayIf anyone is standing byTo-day.‘My secret…
Behold! the days of miracle at last
From sinful creditors’ unholy greedThe church called Calvary at last is freedSo called for there the Savior’s crucified,Roberts and Carmany on either side.The circling contribution-box no moreProvokes the nod and simulated snore;No more the Lottery, no more the Fair,Lure the reluctant dollar from its lair,Nor Ladies’ Lunches at a bit a biteDestroy the health yet…