Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LAME SHEPHERD, by KATHARINE LEE BATES



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LAME SHEPHERD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Slowly I followed on
Last Line: Kissing and kneeling.
Subject(s): Christmas; Healing; Jesus Christ; Miracles; Shepherds & Shepherdesses; Nativity, The; Cures


SLOWLY I followed on,
Stumbling and falling.
All the air sparkled;
All the air sung.
Even to my dull heart
Glory was calling;
Slowly I followed on,
Stumbling and falling.

Great wings arched over me,
Purple and amber;
Night was all color,
Night was all gleam.
Wearily up the hill
Needs must I clamber,
Though wings arched over me,
Purple and amber.

Proudly the chorus pealed
While I was panting.
Winds were all music,
Voices all praise;
Brooks, birds, the waving trees
Joined in the chanting;
Proudly the chorus pealed,
While I was panting.

Late came my aching feet,
Late to the manger;
All slept in silence,
All dreamed in dusk
Under the same dear stars.
No star a stranger.
Late came my aching feet,
Late to the manger.

Kissing a baby's hand,
Painfully kneeling,
Sweet little drowsy hand,
Honey of heaven,
Swift through my twisted limbs
Glowed a glad healing,
Kissing a baby's hand,
Kissing and kneeling.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net