Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST, by CHRISTOPHER PEARSE CRANCH Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Naught but the fittest lives,' I hear Last Line: May weave into its nest of song. Subject(s): Life; Nature; Survival; Time | ||||||||
"NAUGHT but the fittest lives," I hear Ring on the northern breeze of thought: "To Nature's heart the strong are dear, The weak must pass unloved, unsought." And yet in undertones a voice Is heard that says, "O child of earth, Your mind's best work, your heart's best choice Shall stand with God for what they are worth." Time's buildings are not all of stone. With frailest fibres Nature spins Her living webs from zone to zone, And what is lost she daily wins. I fain would think, amid the strife Between realities and forms, Slight gifts may claim perennial life 'Mid slow decay and sudden storms. This tuft of silver hairs I loose From open windows to the breeze, Some bird of spring perchance may use To build her nest in yonder trees. These pictures painted with an art Surpassed by younger sight and skill, May pass into some friendly heart, Some room with Nature's smiles may fill. These leaves of light and earnest rhyme Dropped on the windy world, though long Neglected now, some future time May weave into its nest of song. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEVEN EYES: FINAL SECTION by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: COME OCTOBER by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: HOME by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: TIME IS FILLED by LYN HEJINIAN SLOWLY: I FREQUENTLY SLOWLY WISH by LYN HEJINIAN ALL THE DIFFICULT HOURS AND MINUTES by JANE HIRSHFIELD A DAY IS VAST by JANE HIRSHFIELD FROM THIS HEIGHT by TONY HOAGLAND CORRESPONDENCES; HEXAMETERS AND PENTAMETERS by CHRISTOPHER PEARSE CRANCH |
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