Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HERETIC: 1. BLASPHEMY, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HERETIC: 1. BLASPHEMY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I do not envy god
Last Line: Alone—through all eternity—alone.
Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael
Subject(s): Heresy; Heretics


I DO not envy God—
There is no thing in all the skies or under
To startle and awaken Him to wonder;
No marvel can appear
To stir His placid soul with terrible thunder—
He was not born with awe nor blessed with fear.

I do not envy God—
He is not burned with Spring and April madness;
The rush of Life—its rash, impetuous gladness
He cannot hope to know.
He cannot feel the fever and the sadness
The leaping fire, the insupportable glow.

I do not envy God—
Forever He must watch the planets crawling
To flaming goals where sun and star are falling;
He cannot wander free.
For He must face, through centuries appalling,
A vast and infinite monotony.

I do not envy God—
He cannot die, He dare not even slumber.
Though He be God and free from care and cumber,
I would not share His place;
For He must live when years have lost their number
And Time sinks crumbling into shattered Space.

I do not envy God—
Nay more, I pity Him His lonely heaven;
I pity Him each lonely morn and even,
His splendid lonely throne:
For He must sit and wait till all is riven
Alone—through all eternity—alone.





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