I am human labor, Mighty power of the human race. My shoulders bear the past, The present, and the future of man. In my hands I hold the world And destiny of nations. I seek truth and knowledge Of laws of the universe, And nature has unfolded Unto me her wondrous secrets. I put forth my hand, And earth blooms rich in flower And in fruitage. If my hand be withdrawn From the earth, The human race shall perish. If I be debased, the world Shall be debased. If I be lifted up, the world Shall be uplifted. I have come up out of chaos. I have conquered slavery And won the realm of freedom. I shall win the realm of freedom, Of creative labor, Wherein all may put forth hands And labor be awarded justice. I am human labor. Builder of a world of nations, I shall win fulfillment of ambition. I shall build the way into The realm of peace Wherein the nations of the world shall dwell. The war gods and the hosts of war fiends Shall flee from before me, And the peace of God, Jehovah, Ruler of the heavens and earth, Shall be upon all nations. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE POOR by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS A TOWN WINDOW by JOHN DRINKWATER COUSIN NANCY by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT THE WAY THROUGH THE WOODS by RUDYARD KIPLING THE CHINESE NIGHTINGALE; A SONG IN CHINESE TAPESTRIES by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY AGE IN YOUTH by TRUMBULL STICKNEY |