Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAST DEMAND, by FAITH BALDWIN First Line: Life, you have bruised me and chilled me; fate, you Last Line: I demand to conquer memory! I demand that I forget. Subject(s): Aging; Experience; Life; Memory; Wisdom | ||||||||
Life, you have bruised me and chilled me; Fate, you have jeered at my pain; Dreams, you have mocked while you thrilled me so I turn to the battle again. Love, you have blessed me and led me; the lips that have kissed you, you smite; Hope, you have urged me and fled me but left is the joy of the fight! Never was I a coward! Now must I prove my worth. World, I will give you my courage; not tears but a hard-bought mirth. Work of my hands I grant you, labor and toil of brain, But heart and soul shall be wanting for they are dead of pain! Forward! A fight to the death, then! Life is a sorry jest. Ahead! To the thick of tumult! Fate is a fool at the best. Courage! The war gods are greatest! Love is a false, fair light. To arms! For Dreams are frail bubbles, and Hope but a song in the night. World, I cast down the gauntlet, for you were made to defy! Own me a foe for your mettle! Ah, fighting let me die! Love, Hope and Dreams I give you; Life I fling at your feet; I will drink to the dregs of the bitter for once I had tasted of sweet! Of one last taunt I shall rob you; stern, I will claim my due; One recompense you shall give me, balm I will snatch from you. 'Tis neither Fame nor Glory toys to break and regret; I demand to conquer Memory! I demand that I forget. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOPE IS NOT FOR THE WISE by ROBINSON JEFFERS SEVEN TWILIGHTS: 5 by CONRAD AIKEN SONG: NOW THAT SHE IS HERE; FOR JOE-ANNE by HAYDEN CARRUTH WISE: HAVING THE ABILITY TO PERCEIVE AND ADOPT THE BEST by LUCILLE CLIFTON WISDOM COMETH WITH THE YEARS by COUNTEE CULLEN FOR RANDALL JARRELL, 1914-1965 by NORMAN DUBIE |
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