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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CONTRASTS by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

Poet Analysis

First Line: I SEE THE TALL CHURCH STEEPLES
Last Line: GROW DEEPER AS YEARS ROLL BY.
Subject(s): CHURCHES; CATHEDRALS;
I SEE the tall church steeples,
They reach so far, so far,
But the eyes of my heart see the world's great mart,
Where the starving people are.

I hear the church bells ringing
Their chimes on the morning air;
But my soul's sad ear is hurt to hear
The poor man's cry of despair.

Thicker and thicker the churches,
Nearer and nearer the sky--
But alack for their creeds while the poor man's needs
Grow deeper as years roll by.



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