Classic Poem

Wrought by primeval force through centuries,
Forever struggling gainst the jealous deep,
Scourged by the solstice and tornado sweep,
They dure all conflict, these Floridian Keys;
Grappled and tortured by amphibious trees
Whose gnarly arms writhe as in giant pain,
Whose ravenous roots from oozy marsh sustain
Empoisoned life sucked out of brackish seas.
Around and o'er the teeming jungle range
Devouring shapes that crawl, or swim, or fan
The pungent air. — So, through progression strange,
The strong surviving, Evolution's plan
Brings that Sixth Day when by creative change
Brute Nature yields dominion unto Man.