What am I? I am Earth the mother, <br />With all her nebulous memories; <br />And the young Day, and Night her brother, <br />And every god that was and is. <br /> <br />As Eve I walked in paradise, <br />Dreaming of nations, braving death <br />For knowledge; nor begrudged the price <br />When the first baby first drew breath. <br /> <br />I sang Deborah's triumph song; <br />I struck the foe with Judith's sword; <br />'Twas I who to the angel said, <br />'Behold the handmaid of the Lord!' <br /> <br />I was fair Helen, she for whom <br />A nation was content to die; <br />And Cleopatra, in whose doom <br />The world went down with Antony. <br /> <br />I am the harlot in the street, <br />And the veiled nun all undefiled; <br />In me must queen and beggar meet, <br />Wise age hark to the little child. <br /> <br />I am the life that ever is, <br />And the new glory that shall be; <br />The pain that dies, and the brave bliss <br />That mounts to immortality.<br /><br />Harriet Monroe<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/myself-58/
