Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN MEMORIAM: THE POLE OF DEATH; SIDNEY LANIER, by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE


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IN MEMORIAM: THE POLE OF DEATH; SIDNEY LANIER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: How solemnly on mournful eyes
Last Line: Ah! Hast thou found the day?
Subject(s): Lanier, Sidney (1842-1881)


How solemnly on mournful eyes
The mystic warning rose,
While o'er the Singer's forehead lies
A twilight of repose.

The twilight deepens into night, --
That night of frozen breath,
The rigor of whose Arctic blight,
We recognize as -- death!

But since beyond the polar ice
May shine bright baths of balm;
Past its grim barriers' last device,
A crystal-hearted calm, --

Thus, ice-bound Death that guards so well
His far-off, secret goal,
May clasp a peace ineffable,
For some who reach his pole!

My poet -- is it thus with thee,
Beyond this twilight gray, --
This frozen blight, this sombre sea, --
Ah! hast thou found the Day?





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