I like the coal, Because, through ages long, In loneliness of subterranean shades, It bears in heartsome memory the song, The joy and beauty of primeval glades. I like the coal, Because, though hard oppressed With crushing strata piled upon its back, It yields to any asking of its best, And warms the world that put it to the rack. I like the coal, Because, though little prized, Though black -- as coal, and dirty as -- the same, It robes in light its body so despised, And glorifies its foulness into flame. I like the coal, Because, though lied about, And overweighed, -- half shale, as I insist, -- It keeps its faith in man with courage stout, And never, never is a Pessimist! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WASHING-DAY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE WORLD AS WILL AND REPRESENTATION' by HAYDEN CARRUTH DIVIDE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON IMPELLED by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SONNET TO THOSE WHO SEE BUT DARKLY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |