Strive, since you must, on this poor battle field That is my heart, ill chosen for such war, Jesus and Lucifer. Some alien star Had been more wisely chosen, easier healed. Here lies no treasure cunningly concealed; For such contending, worthier sites by far Lit yonder anywhere, less quick to scar With impact of such weapons as you wield. Why should your lightnings rive this trivial space Where small things flourish? Why desire So madly what is neither high nor wide, But small and quickly ravaged in the face Of warring hosts, shriveled beneath the fire Of fierce humility and piteous pride? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS TO THE RETURNED GIRLS by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: STATE'S ATTORNEY FALLAS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS PORTRAIT OF A BABY by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET MOUNTAIN VALLEY by MALCOLM COWLEY TO A MOTH SEEN IN WINTER by ROBERT FROST |