THOT #151 - Poetry Break: 'When Nature Wants a Man'
Todd Galley: Family Chiropractor
There are a lot of lines to this poem but they are all very short. For maximum benefit, read it nice and slow, thinking about what each line says. Yes, it will take a little longer to read that way, but worth it for the message. Of course, the word 'man' is generic for 'person'. This poem applies to all of us. Every challenge we overcome makes us stronger and more able. Enjoy-
-When Nature Wants a Man-
When Nature wants to drill a man
And thrill a man,
And skill a man,
When Nature wants to mould a man
To ply the noblest part:
When she yearns with all her heart
To create so great and bold a man
‘That all the world shall praise-
Watch her method, watch her ways!
How she ruthlessly perfects
Whom she royally elects;
How she hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which only
-Nature understands-
While his tortured heart is crying and
he lifts beseeching hands!-
How she bends, but never breaks,
When his good she undertakes…
How she uses whom she chooses
And with every purpose fuses him,
By every art induces him
To try his splendor out-
Nature knows what she’s about.
When Nature wants to take a man
And shake a man
And wake a man;
When Nature wants to make a man
To do the Future’s will;
When she tries with all her skill,
And she yearns with all her soul,
To create him large and whole…
With what cunning she prepares him!
How she goads and never spares hi,
How she whets and she frets him
And in poverty begets him…
How she often disappoints
Whom she sacredly anoints,
With what wisdom she will chide him,
Neverminding what betide him,
Though his genius sob with slighting
and his pride may not forget!
Bids him struggle harder yet.
Make him lonely
So that only
God’s high message shall reach him,
So that she may surely teach him,
What the Hierarchy planned.
Though he may not understand,
Gives him passions to command-
How remorselessly she spurs him
With terrific ardor stirs him
When she poignantly prefers him!
When Nature wants to name a man
And fame a man
And tame a man;
When Nature wants to shame a man
To do his heavenly best…
When she tries the highest test
That she reckoning may bring-
When she wants a god or king!
How she reins him and restrains him
So his body scarce contains him
While she fires him
And inspires him!
Keeps him yearning, ever burning
for a tantalizing goal-
Lures and lacerates his soul.
Sets a challenge for his spirit,
Draws it higher when he’s near it-
Makes a jungle, that he clear it;
Makes a desert that he fear it
And subdue it if he can-
So doth Nature make a man.
Then, to test his spirit’s wrath
Hurls a mountain in his path-
Puts a bitter choice before him
And relentless stands o’er him.
“Climb, or perish!” so she says
Watch her purpose, watch her ways!
Nature’s plan is wondrous kind
Could we understand her mind…
Fools are they who call her blind.
When his feet are torn and bleeding
Yet his spirit mounts unheeding,
All his higher powers speeding
Blazing newer paths and fine;
When the force that is divine
Leaps to challenge every failure and his
ardor still is sweet,
And love and hope are burning in the
Presence of defeat…
Lo, the crisis! Lo, the shout
That must call the leader out.
When the people need salvation
Doth he come to lead the nation…
Then doth Nature show her plan
When the world has found – a man!
-Angela Morgan 1873-1957
We hope you took the time to read this far. Such a beautiful poem, such craftsmanship, such wordsmithing, such a powerful message. An instant favorite. Enjoy your week. Create something beautiful. We’ll see you soon.
-Todd and Kelly
(we attached the file in poetry format so you can print it on one side of a page if you like)