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| Ralph Waldo Emerson |
Something simple this week to think about rather than enticing you with more books to weigh down your TBR piles or wishlist.
A Nation's Strength
What makes a nation's pillars high
And it's foundations strong?
What makes it mighty to defy
The foes that round it throng?
It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand
Go down in battle shock;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,
Not on abiding rock.
Is it the sword? Ask the red dust
Of empires passed away;
The blood has turned their stones to rust,
Their glory to decay.
And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
Has seemed to nations sweet;
But God has struck its luster down
In ashes at his feet.
Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.
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I always forget that Emerson wrote poetry too. I am so used to thinking of him as an essayist. Lovely poem! Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteI finished quite a few last week but "The Tallest of smalls" is the only review that's live.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book this week was Go Small or Go Home.
Love this poem :)
ReplyDeleteDone with 'As the Crow Flies'. This is my second reading but first review. Love Charlie Trumper and Becky...
ReplyDeleteplease ignore #20
ReplyDelete