A Strange City

by W. H. (william Henry) Davies — a poem card from Justes Mots

Davies presents a paradoxical vision of a great city—initially enchanted by its architectural grandeur, artistic treasures, and vibrant life, the speaker ultimately discovers the suffering and starvation beneath its splendor. This meditation on urban beauty masking human cruelty reflects Davies's characteristic blend of vivid imagery with social conscience, suitable for readers seeking deeper reflection on the contrast between material magnificence and human compassion.

A wondrous city, that had temples there
More rich than that one built by David's son,
Which called forth Ophir's gold, when Israel
Made Lebanon half naked for her sake.
I saw white towers where so-called traitors died—
True men whose tongues were bells to honest hearts,
And rang out boldly in false monarch's ears.
Saw old black gateways, on whose arches crouched…

Themes: sympathy · grief · reflection