Vachel Lindsay

Vachel Lindsay (November 10, 1879 – December 5, 1931 / Springfield, Illinois)

#279 on top 500 poets

Poems by Vachel Lindsay : 127 / 202

The Leaden-Eyed - Poem by Vachel Lindsay

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Let not young souls be smothered out before
They do quaint deeds and fully flaunt their pride.
It is the world's one crime its babes grow dull,
Its poor are ox-like, limp and leaden-eyed.
Not that they starve; but starve so dreamlessly,
Not that they sow, but that they seldom reap,
Not that they serve, but have no gods to serve,
Not that they die, but that they die like sheep.

Vachel Lindsay

Poems by Vachel Lindsay : 127 / 202

José Botelho (3/19/2017 9:40:00 AM)

One my favourites too.
Botelho (Report) Reply
José Botelho (3/19/2017 9:39:00 AM)

OS DE OLHOS MORTIÇOS
Vachel Lindsay
(trad. José Machado Botelho)

Não deixem que as jovens almas sejam sufocadas
Antes de realizarem feitos incomuns e se mostrarem orgulhosas.
É o grande crime do mundo que elas cresçam entorpecidas,
Que seus pobres sejam como gado, de andar torpe e olhos de chumbo.

Não que passem fome, mas que sendo famintos não tenham sonhos,
Não que não semeiem, mas que raramente colham,
Não que sirvam, mas que não tenham deuses a quem servir,
Não que morram, mas porque morrem como carneiros. (Report) Reply
David Masters (5/24/2005 5:47:00 AM)

I don't know why this poem has got such a low rating - it is one of my favourites. (Report) Reply