Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WHY NOT? (WITH APOLOGIES TO WILLIAM KNOX), by BERTON BRALEY Poet's Biography First Line: Why shouldn't the soul of a mortal be proud? Last Line: Why shouldn't the soul of a mortal be proud? Subject(s): Soul | ||||||||
(With apologies to William Knox) Why shouldn't the soul of a mortal be proud? Life goes, it is true, like a swift-flying cloud But while it is going and ere he has died A man may do many things worthy of pride. The high and the humble, the meek and the brave, Are all of them destined, in time, to the grave, But while they are living and drawing their breath! They may create something that lives after death. The Builder may build and the Singer may sing, The Painter may paint while his time's on the wing. And when they are buried deep down in the grime The things they have made will remain for all time. Man conquers the mountains, the seas and the air, And deserts turn gardens while under his care. He does wondrous deeds in the scant space allowed; Why shouldn't the soul of a mortal be proud? Up out of the darkness we reach to the light And slowly through ages we toil to the height. The soul of a mortal is more than his clay; The spirit of man can defy all decay! So lift up your eyes to the Truth that is God's: In spite of disaster, in face of all odds, The spirit of Man is not wrapped in the shroud, Why shouldn't the soul of a mortal be proud? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CRUEL FALCON by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE WHOLE SOUL by PHILIP LEVINE I KNOW MY SOUL by CLAUDE MCKAY HONORING THE SAND; IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL by ROBERT BLY THE CHINESE PEAKS; FOR DONALD HALL by ROBERT BLY THE LIFE OF TOWNS: TOWN OF THE EXHUMATION by ANNE CARSON |
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