Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BROTHERHOOD, by MABEL BRACKETT LOVELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BROTHERHOOD, by                    
First Line: Ah, pity the poor, good brother!
Last Line: And love our neighbor perfectly.
Subject(s): Brotherhood


Ah, pity the poor, Good Brother!
They lie a-shiver with the cold,
Half waking through the bitter night.
Reluctantly they watch the dawn
Of an unwelcome day, whose sun,
Barred by frost-thickened windowpanes,
Sends scarce a beam of light and warmth
Into their homes so comfortless.

Sadly they rise, and in the thin
Habiliments of poverty,
Bereft of pride in work well done
And wage for service given, they light
Scant fires of charity and eat,
In bitterness of heart, its bread.

And true it is this need not be,
Had we not wandered far astray
From Thine own law of love divine,
"Thy neighbor love as thine own self."
More holy and still more Thine own,
"As I loved you, each other love."

And still we cry the cry of Cain,
"Am I my brother's keeper?" I?
And ask, as asked that one of Thee,
"Who is my neighbor?" Who, indeed!

Ah! cleanse our selfish hearts and fill
Our souls with purest love of Thee,
That we may know in truth our kin,
And love our neighbor perfectly.





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