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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SECURITY by BERNICE LESBIA KENYON

First Line: ON OLD INTERMINABLE STRIFE
Last Line: COMES CLATTERING DOWN IN STORM.
Subject(s): BUILDINGS & BUILDERS; STRENGTH;
ON old interminable strife,
On deep unrest, we build secure;
And who shall find for any life
Foundations yet more sure?

For want of basic certainty
The little structure of these days
Would go unbuilt. But wiser we:
Our tower rocks and sways

And mocks the assaulting elements
With slender strength and fragile form.
And we can laugh if its defense
Comes clattering down in storm.



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