Life, you have taken all you ever gave me, Against your might my strength could not avail; Laughter and youth and love, you snatched them fiercely. Freedom and joy went down beneath your flail. Faith in my fellow man you would not leave me, And then, because I would not kiss your rod, You sought of all your gifts the one most cherished, And so you took away my faith in God. Now I am empty-handed but undaunted, I cry defiance with my latest breath. Oh Life, have you forgotten in your triumph? You @3cannot@1 take away your gift of death! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LEFT-HANDED POEM by JAMES GALVIN THE GHOST OF DEACON BROWN by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON FRANCIS II, KING OF NAPLES; SONNET by AMY LOWELL SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: MRS. SIBLEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 12 by EZRA POUND |