Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CRY OF THE AGE, by HAMLIN GARLAND


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CRY OF THE AGE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What shall I do to be just?
Last Line: My heart is aflame to be right.
Subject(s): Justice; Prayer; Religion; Theology


What shall I do to be just?
What shall I do for the gain
Of the world—for its sadness?
Teach me, O Seers that I trust!
Chart me the difficult main
Leading me out of my sorrow and madness;
Preach me out of the purging of pain.
Shall I wrench from my finger the ring
To cast to the tramp at my door?
Shall I tear off each luminous thing
To drop in the palm of the poor?
What shall I do to be just?
Teach me, O Ye in the light,
Whom the poor and the rich alike trust:
My heart is aflame to be right.





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