LO, to the battle-ground of Life, <br />Child, you have come, like a conquering shout, <br />Out of a struggle—into strife; <br />Out of a darkness—into doubt. <br /> <br />Girt with the fragile armor of youth, <br />Child, you must ride into endless wars, <br />With the sword of protest, the buckler of truth, <br />And a banner of love to sweep the stars. <br /> <br />About you the world's despair will surge; <br />Into defeat you must plunge and grope. <br />Be to the faltering an urge; <br />Be to the hopeless years a hope! <br /> <br />Be to the darkened world a flame; <br />Be to its unconcern a blow— <br />For out of its pain and tumult you came, <br />And into its tumult and pain you go.<br /><br />Louis Untermeyer<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-birth-of-a-child/
