As the insect from the rock Takes the color of its wing; As the boulder from the shock Of the ocean's rhythmic swing Makes itself a perfect form, Learns a calmer front to raise; As the shell, enamelled warm With the prism's mystic rays, Praises wind and wave that make All its chambers fair and strong; As the mighty poets take Grief and pain to build their song: Even so for every soul, Whatsoe'er its lot may be, -- Building, as the heavens roll, Something large and strong and free, -- Things that hurt and things that mar Shape the man for perfect praise; Shock and strain and ruin are Friendlier than the smiling days. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PROMISE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO HORACE BUMSTEAD by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE FAIRY CHILD by JOHN ANSTER TO ELECTRA (1) by ROBERT HERRICK WIDOW MALONE by CHARLES JAMES LEVER THE NOBLEMAN AND THE PENSIONER by GOTTLIEB KONRAD PFEFFEL EASTER DAY [IN ROME] by OSCAR WILDE |