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Poems of Power

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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Contrasts

I see the tall church steeples—
   They reach so far, so far;
But the eyes of my heart see the world’s great mart
Where the starving people are.

I hear the church bells ringing
   Their chimes on the morning air;
But my soul’s sad ear is hurt to hear
   The poor man’s cry of despair.

Thicker and thicker the churches,
   Nearer and nearer the sky—
But alack for their creeds while the poor man’s needs
   Grow deeper as years roll by!

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