The Germ (GK Chesterton)

This is one of my favorite poems....I hope you enjoy it!

The Germ (GK Chesterton)

God spake to the Red Adam

(Earth and sky in a stormy kiss):

"Out of night and the things that were not,
This."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Lo, thyself to thyself I give.

Out of void and the dust that lives not,

Live."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Lo, I break thee thyself as bread
By my hands through the long, proud ages

Fed."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Lo, I pour thee thy blood as wine

To the last fierce drop in the veins of madness
Mine."

God spake to the red Adam:

"This is the first of life, and sweet.

Love me or mock me, curse me or worship,

Eat."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Sins I punish and sins forgive.

Yet thou shalt keep my first commandment,

Live."

God spake to the red Adam:

"For all thy works hath a breath sufficed.

Live: defy me, Prometheus: serve me,

Christ."

God spake to the red Adam:

"Curse my universe, curse thy brood.

I made thee for an end and find thee

Good."

God spake to the red Adam,

Close in a dim collossal strife,

Bowed and spake with the lips of earthquake:

"Life!"