Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth! Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate. Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state, I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT by ANNE BRADSTREET APOLOGIA PRO VITA SUA by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE IMMORTALITY by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL LINES WRITTEN ON THE DEATH OF MRS. HEMANS by MARIA ABDY HUMAN PLEASURE OR PAIN by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 42 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |