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1850–1919

NEUTRAL

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

That pale word‘ Neutral’ sits becomingly On lips of weaklings. But the men whose brains Find fuel in their blood, the men whose minds Hold sympathetic converse with their hearts,

Such men are never neutral. That word stands Unsexed and impotent in Realms of Speech. When mighty problems face a startled world No virile man is neutral. Right or wrong

His thoughts go forth, assertive, unafraid To stand by his convictions, and to do Their part in shaping issues to an end. Silence may guard the door of useless words,

At dictate of Discretion; but to stand Without opinions in a world which needs Constructive thinking, is a coward's part.

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NEUTRAL · Ella Wheeler Wilcox · Poetry Cove