Poems (Kennedy)/Great Souls
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 claimsAnd 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.