We may sigh o'er the heavy burdens <br />Of the black, the brown and white; <br />But if we all clasped hands together <br />The burdens would be more light. <br />How to solve life's saddest problems, <br />Its weariness, want and woe, <br />Was answered by One who suffered <br />In Palestine long ago. <br /> <br />He gave from his heart this precept, <br />To ease the burdens of men, <br />"As ye would that others do to you <br />Do ye even so to them." <br />Life's heavy, wearisome burdens <br />Will change to a gracious trust <br />When men shall learn in the light of God <br />To be merciful and just. <br /> <br />Where war has sharpened his weapons, <br />And slavery masterful had, <br />Let white and black and brown unite <br />To build the kingdom of God. <br />And never attempt in madness <br />To build a kingdom or state, <br />Through greed of gold or lust of power, <br />On the crumbling stones of hate. <br /> <br />The burdens will always he heavy, <br />The sunshine fade into night, <br />Till mercy and justice shall cement <br />The black, the brown and the white. <br />And earth shall answer with gladness, <br />The herald angel's refrain, <br />When "Peace on earth, good will to men" <br />Was the burden of their strain.<br /><br />Frances Ellen Watkins Harper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-burdens-of-all/
