Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN THE DARK (2), by ALICE CARY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE DARK (2), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Out of the earthly years we live
Last Line: Has better things to give.
Subject(s): Life


OUT of the earthly years we live
How small a profit springs;
I cannot think but life should give
Higher and better things.
The very ground whereon we tread
Is clothed to please our sight;
I cannot think that we have read
Our dusty lesson right.

So little comfort we receive,
Except through what we see,
I cannot think we half believe
Our immortality.

We disallow and trample so
The rights of poor weak men,
I cannot think we feel and know
They are our brethren.

So rarely our affections move
Without a selfish guard,
I cannot think we know that love
Is all of love's reward.

To him who smites, the cheek is turned
With such a slow consent,
I cannot think that we have learned
The holy Testament.

Blind, ignorant, we grope along
A path misunderstood,
Mingling with folly and with wrong
Some providential good.

Striving with vain and idle strife
In outward shows to live,
We famish, knowing not that life
Has better things to give.





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