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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RISEN ONES by JAMES OPPENHEIM

First Line: BEGINNING MILLENNIUMS BACK
Last Line: AND OUT OF THE LAMENTATION SPRINGS A LAUGHTER!

BEGINNING millenniums back
We were given of the cup of the Earth to drink:
A cup of the blood of torment and love:
A cup set to our emerging and vanishing lips again and again through a million years:
And we have waxed on agony: seed has become man.

But behold! now from the rivers of blood the prophets of peace lift up,
Out of the pain rises a running and winged joy,
And out of the lamentation springs a laughter!



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