Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DR. WILLIAM MORTON, by CHARLES H. HOWE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DR. WILLIAM MORTON, by                    
First Line: Such pain men knew before he came to them
Last Line: Gave holy, peaceful sleep when pain would prey.
Subject(s): Pain; Sleep; Suffering; Misery


Such pain men knew before he came to them
They gnawed their flesh to still their startled moan
And fought beyond their mind for stratagem
To still the howling at the flesh and bone.
He came and saw the writhing of men's flesh
And, in compassion, found his way to serve,
Within the sleep he gave men need not thresh
Against this pain with its sharp, horrid curve.
Now he has gone and we forget his name,
We take for granted his rare gift of sleep;
We need but breathe, allow our throat to claim
A calm that all the sobbing flesh may keep.
He cut the hours of agony away,
Gave holy, peaceful sleep when pain would prey.





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