Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE QUEST, by CHESTER B. EMERSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE QUEST, by                    
First Line: I asked for bread
Last Line: To bear and lift and to be hanged upon.
Subject(s): Religion; Theology


I asked for bread!
Life led me to a plain,
And put a plough at hand,
And bade me toil until my bread I earned.

I asked for drink!
Life led me to a sand
As dry as tearless grief—
Forced me to find the springs of sympathy.

I asked for joy!
Life led me to a street,
And had me hear the cries
Of wayward souls who waited to be freed.

I asked for words!
Life led me to a wood,
Set me in solitude
Where speech is still and wisdom comes by prayer.

I asked for love!
Life led me to a hill,
And bound me to a cross
To bear and lift and to be hanged upon.





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