Here, in the heart of the world,
Here, in the noise
and the din,
Here, where our spirits were hurled
To battle with
sorrow and sin,
This is the place and the spot
For knowledge
of infinite things;
This is the kingdom where Thought
Can conquer the
prowess of kings.
Wait for no heavenly life,
Seek for no temple
alone;
Here, in the midst of the strife,
Know what the
sages have known.
See what the Perfect Ones saw--
God in the depth
of each soul,
God as the light and the law,
God as beginning
and goal.
Earth is one chamber of Heaven,
Death is no grander
than birth.
Joy in the life that was given,
Strive for perfection
on earth.
Here, in the turmoil and roar,
Show what it is
to be calm;
Show how the spirit can soar
And bring back
its healing and balm.
Stand not aloof nor apart,
Plunge in the
thick of the fight.
There in the street and the mart,
That is the place
to do right.
Not in some cloister or cave,
Not in some kingdom
above,
Here, on this side of the grave,
Here, should we
labor and love.
Poems of Power by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Chicago : W. B. Conkey, 1902.
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