Poems (Kennedy)/Great Souls

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4590570Poems — Great SoulsSara Beaumont Kennedy

GREAT SOULS
GOD made the stars as by a formula,
  And each one settled in its place
  And shines in far-off realms of space,
Alike, yet different in glory—
Some pale, some dominate the dark
    With steadfastness.

God made us men and women in a mold,
  But gave us souls of varied aims.
  The smaller ones yield to convention's claims
And warp themselves to petty rules of life;
But, ah! the great souls know no herding hand
    Of mastery.

They cleave the mysteries of Right and Wrong
  And read the creeds of Love and Hate—
  A law unto themselves and fate,
Nor ever stoop to soil or sordidness.
They differ like the stars, yet each one bears
    The stamp of God.