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1861–1929

The Gift

Bliss Carman

I said to Life, “How comes it, With all this wealth in store, Of beauty, joy, and knowledge, Thy cry is still for more?

“Count all the years of striving To make thy burden less,— The things designed and fashioned To gladden thy success!

“The treasures sought and gathered Thy lightest whim to please,— The loot of all the ages, The spoil of all the seas!

“Is there no end of labor, No limit to thy need? Must man go bowed forever In bondage to thy greed?”

With tears of pride and passion She answered, “God above! I only wait the asking, To spend it all for love!”

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The Gift · Bliss Carman · Poetry Cove