The Conservative (Lovecraft)/July 1917/Sweet Frailty
Sweet Frailty.
I should rather be
A slow'r for a day
Than an age-old rock
Grown harden'd and gray.
I'd rather be the tiniest flow'r
That blinks in wonder at King Sun.
And shivers at rough North Wind's pow'r;
That glows with hope, trusts Nature's heart,
And sweetly lives for Just one hour,
And then--is crush'd by careless feet!
Than be the mighty boulder grim
That crowns some overhanging cliff
For ages long, pois'd on the brim,
Defying storm and avalanche,
Untouch'd by dew or starlight din.
Then--falls to kill a caravan!
I should rather be
A flow'r for a day
Than an age-old rock
Grown harden'd and gray.
Mary Henrietta Lehr