Classic Poem

How strange it is that these bright coins should be
Stamped with the Bird of Freedom! They should bear
Dark fierce inscriptions—outcries of despair;
But not the Bird of holiest Liberty.
Upon these national emblems let us see
Some solemn accusation that shall declare,
‘Ye serve the rich, the poor ye do not spare,
The Unpaid Toiler has not been set free.’
Carve on these coins the truth. So let us save
A conscience whited by too many lies.
Upon these discs of gold let us engrave
Men's dark biographies … make other dies …
The crouching figure of the childish slave
But not the Bird that darts into the skies.