Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PEOPLE OF AMERICA, by DOROTHY QUICK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PEOPLE OF AMERICA, by                    
First Line: This age is epochal
Last Line: Half of your seeds.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mayer, John Adams, Mrs.
Subject(s): Future; Hands; Nations; Seeds; United States; America


This age is epochal.
In our hands lie the seeds of greatness,
The seeds of destruction,
And the future of our world
Depends upon us.

The seeds of destruction are quickly sown.
They need no ploughing of the ground,
No care, and no tending.
Cast them to the wind,
And you will reap at once.
For the seeds of destruction bloom quickly,
And bring woe and desolation in their wake.

To be a great nation is more difficult.
Destruction is easier than building.
The seeds of greatness take time to grow.
They take careful ploughing of the earth,
And daily tending --
Back-breaking work to be done.
Have we the strength
To plant our seeds and wait
For the inevitable harvest?

Which will you plant, people of America?
The choice is yours,
Yours is the hand that holds the seeds.
How will you know which seed you are planting?
There is the keynote of the troubled times!
For the seeds are alike as they lie in your hands. --
The seeds of greatness --
The seeds of destruction --
No one but God can tell them apart.

Therefore I say unto you,
People of America,
Get down on your knees.
Get down on your knees, and pray!
Pray long and earnestly,
And then, arise and plant --
Half of your seeds.





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