My God, or thine? — or God of each and both?
My God, say you? Then let me not be loath
To raise my praises to the Holy Might
Who gives me warmth and shelter from the night,
These harvest fruits, this home and hearthglow bright,
Peace, health, and friends to keen my heart’s delight,
Laughter of children, and the fire-side glee;
I praise Thee, Lord, for these Thy gifts to me!
But thy God, brother — hast thou then denied.
Or suffer chastisement for godless pride?
Nay, thou art His? Then why the open park,
The crust and apple in the starless dark?
No rooftree, friendless, while starvation stark
On limb and visage brands its vicious mark;
This son of God is legatee to shame!
If I praised God, then unto whom the blame?
Nay, then, no God gave these good things to me
And bade my brother couch in misery!
Such god were less than we who sin and die;
Then, if not God, oh whence, and how, and why?
(Burnett A. Ward)
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Based on Topics: God Poems, Night Poems, Sadness Poems, War & Peace Poems, Pride Poems, Children Poems, Brothers Poems, Laughter Poems, Health PoemsBased on Keywords: chastisement, fire-side, godless, rooftree, legatee