I Would Be Valiant Poem by Annie Cordelia Adams

I Would Be Valiant



Like a dove over water,
to the mountains I spring
though many people and many cities
there lay between
I sought a satisfaction
for my hearts desires
They must be God-given
They burn outward with fire

The advocate, my spirit
It urges me on to go
to search for zealous shores
a sweet thought from my bosom flows
So passionate for a life
greater than life its own
greater than the breath I breathe
firmer than rock or stone
A life for a land, pure
As good as green grass
As luscious as golden honey
I've yet to find it, alas

So I search ever and anon
But again, I find none
I fight for this great satisfaction
I write as my only action
I go ship to ship to quay
Liberating hope along the way
To dock to land to forest
I take no pickings and take no rest
My shoes have worn and are tattered
My skin, with mud, splattered

I came upon a town called Hope Imperishable
And there I found a thing, inexplicable
A light from every atom
A silver horn shouted back
The light grew brighter
All the Earth there were a crack
Again, I felt a pang in my bosom
A cold iron sword, pierce my heart
I felt the endlessness of life upon my shoulders
A burden felt only by its depart

To the mountains I trudge
But I've brought a hope with me
I'll rest soon for I've been over water
Over crater, valley and stream
The towers of rock and stone
They seem so far away
But with passion for a breath to breathe
I may make meet to see them today
I search the Eastern Horizon
Crystal skies, shallow waters now

I wish I was at the mountains foothold
To see by which all Earth was endowed
Yet here I am, now and anon; now and alas

To the mountains I spring
Though many people and many cities
There lay between
But to meet what needs be met this day
My voice rings in the highest belfry bell
I scream to the loftiest pinnacle point
Show me the way, the light, pull back the veil

I would have said before:
'I would be valiant but for what strength demands.'
But now for You and my faith in You,
I would risk my life even yet, though end in foreign hands

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