OF all the lessons Life has taught Me, one takes pride of place, and peak. 'Tis this: no path on earth is fraught With equal peril, wind so bleak As his who serves the spiritually weak, Who, tender-hearted, old or young, Waits on a weakling's bid and beck. ... Since man may only help the strong. Who fain would bring the worthless aught Of worthfulness is like to break And bleed his best in vain, be brought Black care and long-abiding check; In vast, unfathomable lake Of gross ingratitude; endlong, Go pour his life's-blood for Love's sake. ... Since man may only help the strong. But he who, wise in time, takes thought, Mistrusts swift impulse, senses snake Within frail frame—who knows that naught Save discontent, degenerate ache For comforting no love can slake, Lurks limpid, tristful eyes among— Turns as from poisonous, pale mandrake. ... Since man may only help the strong. @3Envoi@1 Romantics all! To you I speak: Be warned by him whose heart, much wrung, Knew healing, hope; revenge would wreak. ... So, henceforth, strove to help the strong. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE IMPORTANCE OF GREEN by JAMES GALVIN MY BOY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SORROW SINGERS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON BRER RABBIT, YOU'S DE CUTES' OF 'EM ALL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ITALIAN PICTURES: COSTA MAGIC by MINA LOY A FOOL, A FOUL THING, A DISTRESSFUL LUNATIC by MARIANNE MOORE THINGS ARE WHAT THEY SEEM by MARIANNE MOORE |