Welcome back to The Daily Poem, a podcast from Goldberry Studios.

I'm Sean Johnson, and today is Monday, July 7th, 2025.

Today's poem is by Louise Imogen Gwynny, and it's called John Brown, A Paradox.

Brown is the notorious abolitionist, who is either vilified as a terrorist or hailed as a

hero and even a humanitarian, depending on who you ask.

Thus, the title of this poem, he is in his very existence, a paradox, and certainly the memory of him continues to preserve

that paradoxical nature. His legacy would inspire the rousing tune John Brown's body, but the controversy

surrounding him would inspire others to rewrite the lyrics of that song, creating instead the

battle hymn of the Republic.

Really, John Brown becomes a cipher or a mirror in which America can view itself, and that viewing is not simple or straightforward. It involves a lot of wrestling, maybe an unending

amount. Fanatic or a martyr, Gwini suggests maybe our plain John Brown can carry

both halos. Here's the poem, John Brown, a paradox. Compassionate eyes had our brave John

Brown and a craggy stern forehead, a militant frown. He, the stormbow of

peace, give him volley on volley the fool who redeemed us once of our folly, and the smiter that

healed us, our right, John Brown. Too vehement verily was John Brown, for waiting is statesman-like,

his the renown of the holy rash arm, the

equiper and starter of freedmen. I call him fanatic and martyr. He can carry both halos,

our plain John Brown. A scandalous stumbling block was John Brown, and a jeer, but aha, soon from

the terrified town in his bleeding track made over hilltop and hollow,

wise armies and councils were eager to follow, and the children's lips chanted our lost, John Brown.

Star-led for us, stumbled and groped John Brown, star-led in the awful morasses to drown.

And the trumpet that rang for a nation's upheaval from the thought that was just, through the deed that was evil, was blown with the breath of this

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