Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A CITY OF MILLS, by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A CITY OF MILLS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I cross the bridge and take the road
Last Line: Slay. Be brother to all in deed.
Subject(s): Brotherhood


I cross the bridge and take the road,
Climb the short hill and then look back
Upon the river bare and broad,
Ploughed by a steamer's foaming track.

Across the seamed and silver bay,
Where Metacomet's paddle shook,
Now darkening with the ebbing day,
In wondering joy and fear I look.

The western sky above Mount Hope
More painted than red warrior's pride,
Brightened the city's busy slope.
"Is this my country's fate," I sighed?

I heard the chimes from towered height,
I saw below the dark mills lie,
Prolonging day with puny light,
Like mirrors towards the sunset sky.

A giant heart throbs in those walls,
Where shuttles shoot with deafening din;
Where ears hear not, and no voice calls;
Where mothers weave and children spin.

Yonder the Norseman found his grave;
This soil the stealthy Indian trod,
Fighting our fathers stern and brave,
Who sought for freedom, home and God.

Now alien folk toil here at tasks
That strain the nerves to engine's speed;
The child of Puritans now basks
Mid flowers of strife, and fruit of greed.

Is this the end for which they strove?
Is this the city of their hope?
This the reward, where virtue throve,
With hate of kings, of priest and pope?

Must tyranny forever live,
With changing dress from age to age?
Virtue endure, but till God give
To it the power that roused its rage?

The sun went down, the sky grew black,
The stars, the mills, alone gave light.
As city-ward I hastened back,
I heard my answer in the night.

Your faith is larger than was theirs.
You trust in God with less of fear.
You know He for all children cares, --
The heathen far, the Christian near.

That priesthood cannot bind time's feet.
That greed cannot enslave man's soul.
All races in the great race meet,
And that each heart must hold the whole.

Henceforth, to your faith be as true
As were your sires to their harsh creed.
The savage, tyrant, priest in you
Slay. Be brother to all in deed.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net