Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LYING 'MUSTS', by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LYING 'MUSTS', by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A baby must cry to develop its lungs
Last Line: We will change this old world into paradise!
Subject(s): Proverbs; Maxims; Adages


"A baby must cry to develop its lungs,"
So waggle the foolish, inconsequent tongues,
Forgetful of babies whose crying is slight,
Yet, faith! they can prove that their lungs are all right.

"A boy must see life," men say with a grin,
So headlong and heedless they tumble him in:
Let him flounder and gasp in the muck of the town;
It will strengthen him, sure, if he doesn't go down.

"The poor we have with us, and must have for aye,"
Thus the misquoters make the New Testament say.
So they dole out their charity, mocking the cure
That might end forever the woes of the poor.

Ah, prophets of sorrow, complacent with wrong,
The new age is teaching a worthier song!
The song of a future that betters the past,
The song of a blessedness certain to last.

For the babes need not cry, and the boys need not sin,
And the poor from their poverty riches may win,
And when we are stronger and when we are wise
We will change this old world into paradise!





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