Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WE WANT OUR TOWN TO GROW, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WE WANT OUR TOWN TO GROW, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We want our town to grow, to be
Last Line: We want our town to grow -- in heart.
Subject(s): Towns


We want our town to grow, to be
The city that our fathers dreamed,
A city known from sea to sea,
The better known the more esteemed.
We want to build a city great,
Yea, greater than our city now;
Through every hour of changing fate
We want our town to grow -- but how?

We want our town to grow -- but not
In numbers only, only size;
Our population is not what
Shall make us mighty, make us wise.
Now naught are Nineveh and Tyre
Where huddled thousands used to dwell.
Humanity will not inquire
How many live here -- but how well.

We want our town to grow in wealth --
But grow in wealth that counts the most:
Our children's happiness and health
A better wealth, a better boast.
In song, in soul, in sympathy,
In love of good, in hate of sin,
In loyalty, in unity,
We want our town to grow -- within.

And then we want to grow without,
To tear away the ancient walls,
Big brother to the world about,
Whatever comes, whoever calls.
We do not want to dwell alone,
We do not want to stand apart;
The better loved the better known,
We want our town to grow -- in heart.





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