Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ANGEL'S VISIT, by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Twas on a glorious summer eve Last Line: Was breathed before the throne. Subject(s): African Americans - Women | ||||||||
'Twas on a glorious summer eve, -- A lovely eve in June, -- Serenely from her home above Looked down the gentle moon; And lovingly she smiled on me, And softly soothed the pain -- The aching, heavy pain that lay Upon my heart and brain. And gently 'mid the murmuring leaves, Scarce by its light wings stirred, Like spirit voices soft and clear, The night wind's song was heard; In strains of music sweet and low It sang to me of peace; It bade my weary, troubled soul Her sad complainings cease. For bitter thoughts had filled my breast, And sad, and sick at heart, I longed to lay me down and rest, From all the world apart. "Outcast, oppressed on earth," I cried, "O Father, take me home; O, take me to that peaceful land Beyond the moon-lit dome. "On such a night as this," methought, "Angelic forms are near; In beauty unrevealed to us They hover in the air. O mother, loved and lost," I cried, "Methinks thou'rt near me now; Methinks I feel thy cooling touch Upon my burning brow. "O, guide and soothe thy sorrowing child; And if 'tis not His will That thou shouldst take me home with thee, Protect and bless me still; For dark and drear had been my life Without thy tender smile, Without a mother's loving care, Each sorrow to beguile." I ceased: then o'er my senses stole A soothing dreamy spell, And gently to my ear were borne The tones I loved so well; A sudden flood of rosy light Filled all the dusky wood, And, clad in shining robes of white, My angel mother stood. She gently drew me to her side, She pressed her lips to mine, And softly said, "Grieve not, my child; A mother's love is thine. I know the cruel wrongs that crush The young and ardent heart; But falter not; keep bravely on, And nobly bear thy part. "For thee a brighter day's in store; And every earnest soul That presses on, with purpose high, Shall gain the wished-for goal. And thou, beloved, faint not beneath The weary weight of care; Daily before our Father's throne I breathe for thee a prayer. "I pray that pure and holy thoughts May bless and guard thy way; A noble and unselfish life For thee, my child, I pray." She paused, and fondly bent on me One lingering look of love, Then softly said, -- and passed away, -- "Farewell! we'll meet above." I woke, and still the silver moon In quiet beauty shone; And still I heard amid the leaves The night wind's murmuring tone; But from my heart the weary pain Forevermore had flown; I knew a mother's prayer for me Was breathed before the throne. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BLACK WOMAN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON FOREDOOM by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON WHO SAID IT WAS SIMPLE by AUDRE LORDE ELIZABETH KECKLEY: 30 YEARS A SLAVE AND 4 YEARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE by E. ETHELBERT MILLER ON DIVERSE DEVIATIONS by MAYA ANGELOU HYMN FOR LANIE POO by AMIRI BARAKA THE DREAM SONGS: 68 by JOHN BERRYMAN A PARTING HYMN by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE CHARLES SUMNER; ON SEEING SOME PICTURES OF THE INTERIOR OF HIS HOUSE by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE THE GATHERING OF THE GRAND ARMY by CHARLOTTE L. FORTEN GRIMKE |
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