Tuesday, December 1, 2009

William Cullan Bryant

I’m pleased to join you all tonight.

A gathering of the giants of our day

Though I prefer to avoid the public light

I admit I could not stay away

I was raised under a privileged roof

By a righteous mum and dad

My reading scripture by four gave proof

I was to be a clever lad

Since those days I’ve loved to learn

And read and ‘specially write

Which, lead me to poems, essays in turn

And lets me voice my current fight

I’m truly a federalist to the bone

A strong government is the key

Just laws to protect our rights

Is the way to keep us free

For long I’ve been a poet great

Meditating deep with my verse

While it’s complexity gives it weight

Its bore to commoners is its curse

I was a lawyer by profession

Though now have taken to the press

Where, though it has caused tension

I dare touch that issue we must address

For while we sit hear sipping tea

Awaiting the soup to boil

Down south poor men like you and me

Finish this day’s toil

I love this country just like you

This holy coalition

But I’d as soon see it torn in two

To fight for abolition

I’m shy however and will quiet now

I’m modest and humble to say the least.

So come, these dark words I shan’t allow

Drain your cups and begin the feast!

1 comment:

SE said...

Mr. Bryant, I would like to inform you that you are not alone in your views of the terror of the South. I, Mr. Elijah Lovejoy, completely agree with you, and support abolitionism. I have written several editorials on this believe, only to have my press destroyed by barbarians. Perhaps one day, we shall achieve our goals for this great country.