Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, INVOCATION, by WENDELL PHILLIPS STAFFORD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

INVOCATION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O thou whose equal purpose runs
Last Line: Be lightning for the land we love!
Variant Title(s): The Land We Love
Subject(s): United States; America


O Thou whose equal purpose runs
In drops of rain or streams of suns,
And with a soft compulsion rolls
The green earth on her snowy poles;
O Thou who keepest in thy ken
The times of flowers, the dooms of men,
Stretch out a mighty wing above --
Be tender to the land we love!

If all the huddlers from the storm
Have found her hearthstone wide and warm;
If she has made men free and glad,
Sharing, with all, the good she had;
If she has blown the very dust
From her bright balance to be just,
Oh, spread a mighty wing above --
Be tender to the land we love!

When in the dark eternal tower
The star-clock strikes her trial hour,
And for her help no more avail
Her sea-blue shield, her mountain-mail,
But sweeping wide, from gulf to lakes,
The battle on her forehead breaks,
Throw Thou a thunderous wing above --
Be lightning for the land we love!





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