Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CALIBAN IN THE COAL MINES, by LOUIS UNTERMEYER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CALIBAN IN THE COAL MINES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: God, we don't like to complain
Last Line: Fling us a handful of stars!
Alternate Author Name(s): Lewis, Michael
Subject(s): Mines & Miners; Religion; Social Protest; Theology


GOD, we don't like to complain
We know that the mine is no lark—
But—there's the pools from the rain;
But—there's the cold and the dark.

God, You don't know what it is—
You, in Your well-lighted sky,
Watching the meteors whizz;
Warm, with the sun always by.

God, if You had but the moon
Stuck in Your cap for a lamp,
Even You'd tire of it soon,
Down in the dark and the damp.

Nothing but blackness above,
And nothing that moves but the cars—
God, if You wish for our love,
Fling us a handful of stars!





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