Man, earthbound, goes to God an arduous way, Wresting his bounty from the very heart Of life, while all its pulse beats through his clay Firing his blood, making him throbbing part Of earth and men; their hatreds, friendships gay, Tears, laughter, love; love's joy and stinging smart. One of a venturous, toiling brotherhood, He lives by strength, by courage to retrieve; By keen unrest that works him greatest good When all his plans and hopes can die, yet leave Him in more forward place than e'er he stood, Because he hungers, avid to achieve. Seeing, he knows that all his body's gain Has been but symbol of reality; Now, spirit-hunger, aspiration's pain, Become his dearest actuality -- Seeking to loose his last corroding chain To win him pledge of immortality. He finds it in the only sentient thing That man creates -- the child, the hallowed fruit Of passion's high endeavor -- the angel-wing That lifts his love to blend with God -- transmute The symbol of His image, and so bring His flower of love divine to earthsprung root. So, dawn to moontime, love is Sacrament And dedicates itself a thousand ways By recreate loveliness, divinely spent; Touching the disillusion of men's days With radiance; causing transfigurement In all the things that wantonness betrays. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SAVING WAY by HAYDEN CARRUTH MEMORY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON OMNIPRESENCE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE GUARDIAN OF THE RED DISK (SPOKEN BY A CITIZEN OF MALTA - 1300) by EMMA LAZARUS |