Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PRAYER FOR COURAGE, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PRAYER FOR COURAGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Why should I long for what I know
Last Line: The bright conviction of the stars.
Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael
Subject(s): Faith; Prayer; Belief; Creed


Why should I long for what I know
Can never be revealed to me?
I only pray that I may grow
As sure and bravely as a tree.

I do not ask why tireless grief
Remains, or why all beauty flies;
I only crave the blind relief
Of branches groping toward the skies.

Let me bring every seed to fruit,
Sharing, whatever comes to pass,
The strong persistence of the root,
The patient courage of the grass.

Heartened by every source of mirth,
I shall not mind the wounds and scars,
Feeling the solid strength of earth,
The bright conviction of the stars.





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