Edgar Lee Masters - Calvin Campbell

Ye who are kicking against Fate, <br />Tell me how it is that on this hill-side, <br />Running down to the river, <br />Which fronts the sun and the south-wind, <br />This plant draws from the air and soil <br />Poison and becomes poison ivy? <br />And this plant draws from the same air and soil <br />Sweet elixirs and colors and becomes arbutus? <br />And both flourish? <br />You may blame Spoon River for what it is, <br />But whom do you blame for the will in you <br />That feeds itself and makes you dock-weed, <br />Jimpson, dandelion or mullen <br />And which can never use any soil or air <br />So as to make you jessamine or wistaria?<br /><br />Edgar Lee Masters<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/calvin-campbell/