POETS Main Page INDEX of Poets INDEX of Titles & First Lines DUNBAR Menu

Dunbar

 
Paul Laurence Dunbar
1872-1906

"Religion"
from "Lyrics of Lowly Life"
(1896)

 

I am no priest of crooks nor creeds,
For human wants and human needs
Are more to me than prophets' deeds;
And human tears and human cares
Affect me more than human prayers.

Go, cease your wail, lugubrious saint!
You fret high Heaven with your plaint.
Is this the "Christian's joy" you paint?
Is this the Christian's boasted bliss?
Avails your faith no more than this?

Take up your arms, come out with me,
Let Heav'n alone;    humanity
Needs more and Heaven less from thee.
With pity for mankind look 'round;
Help them to rise – and Heaven is found.

Buy Paul Dunbar's poetry

POETS Main Page INDEX of Poets INDEX of Titles & First Lines DUNBAR Menu