Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DEBT, by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DEBT, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: This is the debt I pay
Last Line: God! But the interest!
Subject(s): Debt; Guilt; Religion; Theology


This is the debt I pay
Just for one riotous day,
Years of regret and grief,
Sorrow without relief.
Pay it I will to the end-
Until the grave, my friend,
Gives me a true release-
Gives me the clasp of peace.
Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I thought,
Poor was the loan at best-
God! but the interest!




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