Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LIVING HOPE by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS

First Line: I LIKE THE SWEET, OLD FASHIONED PHRASE
Last Line: IT LIVES -- AND NEVER DIES.
Subject(s): HOPE; OPTIMISM;
I like the sweet, old-fashioned phrase,
"A living hope in Christ";
How many saints of elder days
It gloriously sufficed!

"A living hope" -- why, then it breathes,
And fashions kindly speech;
With cheery song its life enwreathes,
With courage dares to teach.

"A living hope" -- why, then it walks,
With steady step and swift,
Where beggars crouch and evil stalks,
And brings the needed gift.

"A living hope" -- it labors then,
It laughs, and, pitying, sighs;
It lives the life of earthly men,
It lives -- and never dies.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net