|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: THE VILLAGE ATHEIST, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ye young debaters over the doctrine Last Line: Shall possess it. Subject(s): Atheism | |||
YE young debaters over the doctrine Of the soul's immortality, I who lie here was the village atheist, Talkative, contentious, versed in the arguments Of the infidels. But through a long sickness Coughing myself to death I read the Upanishads and the poetry of Jesus. And they lighted a torch of hope and intuition And desire which the Shadow, Leading me swiftly through the caverns of darkness, Could not extinguish. Listen to me, ye who live in the senses And think through the senses only: Immortality is not a gift, Immortality is an achievement; And only those who strive mightily Shall possess it. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ATHEISM; THE ONLY GROUND OF DISCONTENT by JOHN BYROM A BALLAD IN BLANK VERSE by JOHN DAVIDSON THE ATHEIST AND THE ACORN by ANNE FINCH THIRD EPIGRAM: ON AN ATHEIST by ANNE KILLIGREW I AM AN ATHEIST WHO SAYS HIS PRAYERS by KARL SHAPIRO IN OUR OWN IMAGE by THEODORE OLSON ATHEISM: FAITH by ELIZABETH OAKES PRINCE SMITH ATHEISM: REASON by ELIZABETH OAKES PRINCE SMITH SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ALEXANDER THROCKMORTON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |
| |