My Captain

---

My Captain

Poem — An Invocation to The Master #166

Am I Thy straggling soldier in every march 
Dragging boots o’er steep hill and ravine,
The dead riverbank and dried gravel much 
And wooded valley where murmurs reign.

Didst Thou stand with crested gear flaming
Pouring Thy valour in words to my heart?
Did I forswear to Thy arm forever battling,
My body and life to Thy will submit?

How many lands and peoples didst we take,
The robust and meek and the treacherous?
Weighing by Thy gaze all around to remake
In the lines of Thy vision harmonious.

Thy kindly touch on every mar and scar
Didst heal my soul and battered bone,
The sweat and blood in many a war
Little price in Thy vicinity to remain.

I ask no spoils nor share of any empire,
Neither estates nor rich gilded halls,
Only teach me when Thou doth retire
To the camp of night for Thy musings.

Each life mine is an episode of Thy campaign 
Warring and battling for Thee O my Captain!