Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY, by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A day of joy, a holiday!
Last Line: The treasures of mankind!
Alternate Author Name(s): Hotair, Dopeton
Subject(s): Holidays; Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865); Presidents, United States


A DAY of joy, a holiday!
A day in festal colors drest
To honor one who knew not play,
Nor ever tasted rest!

A man of sorrows and of tears,
Would we might bring to you
Back through the pathway of dead years
One touch of comfort true.

Would that your eyes might penetrate
The shadows in between
Through all the clouds of war and hate
And mists that intervene.

Into the hearts of all the throng
Of living men, to find
Your name and fame the first among
The treasures of mankind!





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