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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE POLICE COURT, by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT Poet's Biography
First Line: Are these thy children, lord, this criminal row
Last Line: Thy children, god, since we a choice are shown.
Subject(s): Children; Crime & Criminals; Childhood
First Line: Are these thy children, lord, this criminal row
Last Line: Thy children, god, since we a choice are shown.
Subject(s): Children; Crime & Criminals; Childhood
Are these Thy children, Lord, this criminal row,
Who in the crowded court their sentence wait,
Straining to hear the judge pronounce their fate,
And laugh or scowl or deep indifference show?
Their prison days, -- that fear is all they know --
Imprisoned souls unheeding their fixed state;
Poor, sensual faces, weak and passionate,
A mark of Cain, foredoomed to crime each brow.
Ah no! Our crimes are not in birth's decree;
Our evil deeds are not the fruit full-grown
Of seedling sins set out in infancy.
We are not blown about as leaves are blown;
For our temptations tell us we are free, --
Thy children, God, since we a choice are shown.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN
CHILDREN SELECTING BOOKS IN A LIBRARY by RANDALL JARRELL
COME TO THE STONE ... by RANDALL JARRELL
THE LOST WORLD by RANDALL JARRELL
A SICK CHILD by RANDALL JARRELL
CONTINENT'S END by ROBINSON JEFFERS
ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD by DONALD JUSTICE
THE POET AT SEVEN by DONALD JUSTICE
A CALL TO PRAYER by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT