Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE QUIET PILGRIM, by EDITH MATILDA THOMAS Poet's Biography First Line: When on my soul in nakedness Last Line: Lord, I go softly all my years! Subject(s): Grief; Hearts; Soul; Tears; Sorrow; Sadness | ||||||||
ISAIAH XXXVIII. 15 WHEN on my soul in nakedness His swift, avertless hand did press, Then I stood still, nor cried aloud, Nor murmured low in ashes bowed; And, since my woe is utterless, To supreme quiet I am vowed; Afar from me be moan and tears, -- Whenso my quick, light-sandaled feet Bring me where Joys and Pleasures meet, I mingle with their throng at will; They know me not an alien still, Since neither words nor ways unsweet Of stored bitterness I spill; Youth shuns me not, nor gladness fears, -- For I go softly all my years. Whenso I come where Griefs convene, And in my ear their voice is keen, They know me not, as on I glide, That with Arch Sorrow I abide. They haggard are, and drooped of mien, And round their brows have cypress tied: Such shows I leave to light Grief's peers, -- I shall go softly all my years. Yea, softly! heart of hearts unknown. Silence hath speech that passeth moan, More piercing-keen than breathed cries To such as heed, made sorrow-wise. But save this voice without a tone, That runs before me to the skies, And rings above thy ringing spheres, Lord, I go softly all my years! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONOMA FIRE by JANE HIRSHFIELD AS THE SPARKS FLY UPWARDS by JOHN HOLLANDER WHAT GREAT GRIEF HAS MADE THE EMPRESS MUTE by JUNE JORDAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 19 by JAMES JOYCE DIRGE AT THE END OF THE WOODS by LEONIE ADAMS |
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