Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WHEN WE ARE ALL ASLEEP, by ROBERT WILLIAMS BUCHANAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHEN WE ARE ALL ASLEEP, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When he returns, and finds the world so drear
Last Line: "let them sleep on untroubled -- it is best."
Alternate Author Name(s): Maitland, Thomas
Subject(s): Death; Peace; Second Advent; Dead, The; Second Coming Of Christ


WHEN He returns, and finds the world so drear,
All sleeping, young and old, unfair and fair,
Will he stoop down and whisper in each ear,
"Awaken!" or for pity's sake forbear,
Saying, "How shall I meet their frozen stare
Of wonder, and their eyes so full of fear?
How shall I comfort them in their despair,
If they cry out, 'Too late! let us sleep here'?"
Perchance He will not wake us up, but when
He sees us look so happy in our rest,
Will murmur, "Poor dead women and dead men!
Dire was their doom, and weary was their quest.
Wherefore awake them into life again?
Let them sleep on untroubled -- it is best."





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