Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SPECTATORS by HORTENSE KING FLEXNER

First Line: THIS IS THE BRIEF PHYSICAL EYE
Last Line: "THEY WERE ALIVE."
Subject(s): LIFE; MIRACLES; SURVIVAL;
This is the brief physical eye
To see the event
That shall last forever.
Hands—mind—breath
Live out their time
In the presence of a beginning
That comes in storm,
As once Friday came.

Nor shall we see
The starved hands of worshippers
Covered with rings;
The straight pillar of faith
Lost in the lace-work of stone;
The age-long trail of martyrs,
Or the bones of impossible saints.

Of us
It shall be enough to mark us forever,
To say:
"They were alive."



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