A Nation's Strength
Just a thought I wanted to leave you with before I head out for the evening.
A NATION'S STRENGTH
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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.
Comments
I wonder how many of today's vaunted poets would dare to voice love for their country the way Emerson did.
Posted by: Curt | May 13, 2004 07:06 PM
I think we know the answer to that Curt...
Posted by: FH | May 13, 2004 07:25 PM
Thanks Michele. I am the last person you'd expect to appreciate a bit of poetry on a warblog. This one got to me. How appropriate. It speaks specifically about NY Fire Fighters and Police, who rushed in while others rushed out. It speaks about Pat Tillman and other soldiers who volunteered instead of cashing-in.
It has cadence and rhyme too.
Posted by: Doug Purdie | May 14, 2004 12:58 PM