Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ACCOMPLISHMENT, by                    
First Line: One and twenty summers come and gone!
Last Line: Forgetful of accomplishment.
Subject(s): Churches; Clergy; Prayer Meetings; Preaching & Preachers; Cathedrals; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops


One and twenty summers come and gone!
As many spring-times, too, and autumn-tides
Now lie beneath as many winters' snows.
And they have seen accomplished ...
How may the record read? ...

So many hundred sermons preached,
So many prayers been said,
Calls made,
New members added,
Weddings, funerals numbering so,
And meetings totaling thus been held.
Addresses, such and such a number given,
And this thing "put across" and that,
(How I dislike that phrase!)
So much moneys raised
And so much moneys spent,
(All goodly sums)
For this, for that,
New buildings, repairs, improvements,
Let each be itemized,
The record read in full,
Impressive, even in times that worship size and bulk
And that fat god Success ...

No! No! This people would not have it so,
Nor would it be my pride ...
Perhaps some youth is going forth
In high obedience to a vision led,
Seeking, so foolishly, a city built of dreams,
The far-off dwelling of man's faith and hope,
Where swords are beaten into plowshares,
And spears into pruning hooks
And war is learned no more,
And children know the warmth of friendly sun ...

Perhaps a new song some humble toiler sings,
Some fainting one with new strength goes his way;
A lonely heart finds solace in his grief,
Light shines again in tired eyes,
And crooked path is straightened,
A prison door is opened,
Some heavy cloud is lifted,
A new earth and heaven dawn,
A life to more abundance grows ...

O God Who givest unto us our days
Why should I now such doubtful questions raise?
Forgive the secret pride
That such words hide,
And may I serve
And never swerve
Till strength be spent,
Forgetful of accomplishment.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net