Brahma

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

1803-1882


IF the red slayer think he slays,
         Or if the slain think he is slain,
They know not well the subtle ways
         I keep, and pass, and turn again.

Far or forgot to me is near;
         Shadow and sunlight are the same;
The vanish'd gods to me appear;
         And one to me are shame and fame.

They reckon ill who leave me out;
         When me they fly, I am the wings;
I am the doubter and the doubt,
         And I the hymn the Brahmin sings.

The strong gods pine for my abode,
         And pine in vain the sacred Seven;
But thou, meek lover of the good!
         Find me, and turn thy back on heaven.

DayPoems Poem No. 624
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/624.html">Brahma by Ralph Waldo Emerson</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

Poets  Poems