The Collected Poems of Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Charlotte Perkins Gilman
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Название: The Collected Poems of Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Автор: Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Издательство: Bookwire

Жанр: Языкознание

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isbn: 9788027202812

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">       Her thought for others measured with herself,

       Her place and grade in human life to-day?

      Thanksgiving

       Table of Contents

      I never thought much of the folks who pray

       The Lord to make them thankful for a meal

       Expecting Him to furnish all the food

       And then provide them with the gratitude

       They haven't grace to feel.

      I never thought much of this yearly thanks,

       Either for what once happened long ago,

       Or for "our constant mercies." To my mind

       If we're to thank a Power that's daily kind,

       Our annual's too slow.

      Suppose we spread Thanksgiving—hand it round—

       Give God an honest heartful every day;

       And, while we're being thankful, why not give

       Some gratitude to those by whom we live—

       As well as stingy pay?

      Thanksong

       Table of Contents

      Thankful are we for life

       And the joy of living.

       Baby-pleasure of taking;

       Mother-glory of giving.

      Thankful are we for light

       And the joy of seeing.

       Stir of emotion strong,

       And the peace of being.

      Thankful are we for power,

       And the pride ensuing;

       Baby-pleasure of having,

       Father-glory of doing.

      Love

       Table of Contents

      Not the child-god of our most childish past,

       Nor sympathy, nor worship, passionless;

       Nor gratitude, nor tenderest caress:

       Nor the post-mortal glamor priests have cast

       With "This to hope! Surrender what thou hast!"

       These are but parts and can but partly bless;

       We in our new-born common consciousness

       Are learning Law and Life and Love at last.

      The age-old secret of the sphinx's holding,

       Incarnate triumph, infinitely strong;

       The mother's majesty, grown wide and long,

       In the full power and fire of life's unfolding;

       The conscious splendor and ripe joy thereof—

       Glad world-wide, life-long service—this is Love!

      Steps

       Table of Contents

      I was a slave, because I could not see

       That work for one another is our law;

       I hated law. I work? I would be free!

       Therefore the heavy law laid hands on me

       And I was forced to work in slavery—

       Until I saw.

      I was a hireling, for I could not see

       That work was natural as the breath I drew,

       Natural? I would not work without the fee!

       So nature laid her heavy hands on me

       And I was forced by fear of poverty—

       Until I knew.

      Now I am free. Life is new-seen, recast

       To work is to enjoy, to love, to live!

       The shame and pain of slavery are past,

       Dishonor and extortion follow fast,

       I am not owned, nor hired, full-born at last,

       My power I give.

      Child Labor

       Table of Contents

      The children in the Poor House

       May die of many an ill,

       But the Poor House does not profit

       By their labor in the mill!

      The children in the Orphanage

       Wear raiment far from fine,

       But no Orphanage is financed

       By child labor in a mine.

      The Cruel Law may send them

       To Reform School's iron sway,

       But it does not set small children

       To hard labor by the day.

      Only the Loving Family,

       Which we so much admire,

       Is willing to support itself

       On little children's hire.

      Only the Human Father,

       A man, with power to think,

       Will take from little children

       СКАЧАТЬ