The Poet’s Aim

I do not want to write for fame,

     I do not want to write for wealth;

I do not want to write for game,

     I do not want to write for health;

I want to write so that my song

     Will reach the cord of someone’s heart,

And start the springs of love along

     Which have become dried up in part.

I want to touch the magic wire

     That reaches God’s and Nature’s plan;

I want to waken and inspire

     Brave deeds within the heart of man.

But how can one thus hope to write,

     To stir a fellow being, too,

Unless he’s ready for the fight,

     Unless he’s brave and good and true?

So then it is for every soul

     Who thus would spread a noble thought,

Who would lead others to the goal,

     To deeds alone by heroes wrought,

He must a living model be,

     A soldier for the truth and right;

A fearless warrior if he

     Would win his soldiers for the fight.

Oct. 28, ‘10