Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TOO HUMAN by JAMES OPPENHEIM

First Line: HOW MANY ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO REJECT RICHES?
Last Line: AND THE SCOURGE OF NEED.
Subject(s): HUMAN BEHAVIOR; CONDUCT OF LIFE; HUMAN NATURE;

HOW many are strong enough to reject riches?
Not I, not I!

And who can flee from the poisoned breath of flattery?
And who can escape from the friends that shield his weakness?
And who can put away slothfulness and the lure of women?
Not I, not I!

We are too human, we little ones!
Praised be the hostile world
And the scourge of need.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net