A Dialogue
Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919
MORTAL
The world is full of selfishness and greed.
Lord, I would lave its sin.
SPIRIT
Yea, mortal, earth of thy good help has need.
Go cleanse THYSELF within.
MORTAL
Mine ear is hurt by harsh and evil speech.
I would reform men's ways.
SPIRIT
There is but one convincing way to teach.
Speak THOU but words of praise.
MORTAL
On every hand is wretchedness and grief,
Despondency and fear.
Lord, I would give my fellow men relief.
SPIRIT
Be, then, all hope, all cheer.
MORTAL
Lord, I look outward and grow sick at heart,
Such need of change I see.
SPIRIT
Mortal, look IN. Do thy allotted part,
And leave the rest to ME.
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Submitted on August 03, 2020
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 39 sec read
- 7 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | AB AB CD CD EFE F GH GH |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 643 |
Words | 130 |
Stanzas | 8 |
Stanza Lengths | 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1, 2, 2 |
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"A Dialogue" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/55126/a-dialogue>.
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