EVERYONE laughed at Col. Prichard For buying an engine so powerful That it wrecked itself, and wrecked the grinder He ran it with. But here is a joke of cosmic size: The urge of nature that made a man Evolve from his brain a spiritual life -- Oh miracle of the world! -- The very same brain with which the ape and wolf Get food and shelter and procreate themselves. Nature has made man do this, In a world where she gives him nothing to do After all -- (though the strength of his soul goes round In a futile waste of power, To gear itself to the mills of the gods) -- But get food and shelter and procreate himself! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE MOON by HAYDEN CARRUTH AFTER THE LAST BREATH (J.H. 1813-1904) by THOMAS HARDY SONNET PREFIXED TO 'THE COMMONWEALTH & GOVERNMENT OF VENICE' by EDMUND SPENSER THE WHITE BIRDS by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS RECOMPENSE by JESSE M. BALL ALLEN |