Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lo - to the battle-ground of life
Last Line: And into its tumult and pain you go.
Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael
Subject(s): Birth; Children; Child Birth; Midwifery; Childhood


Lo -- to the battle-ground of Life,
Child, you have come, like a conquering shout,
Out of a struggle -- into strife;
Out of a darkness -- into doubt.

Girt with the fragile armor of Youth,
Child, you must ride into endless wars,
With the sword of protest, the buckler of truth,
And a banner of love to sweep the stars. . . .

About you the world's despair will surge;
Into defeat you must plunge and grope --
Be to the faltering, an urge;
Be to the hopeless years, a hope!

Be to the darkened world a flame;
Be to its unconcern a blow --
For out of its pain and tumult you came,
And into its tumult and pain you go.





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