Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BRIDGE, by VICTOR MARIE HUGO Poet's Biography First Line: I gazed on darkness where the pit most dread Last Line: "what is thy name?"" said I. He answered ""pray'r." Subject(s): Bridges; Prayer | ||||||||
I GAZED on darkness where the pit most dread Yawned from its shoreless depth unfathoméd. Therein nought stirred. I felt as one drawn down Within its silent endlessness to drown. Far off, beyond the shadow as though quelled Like a dim star, the Godhead I beheld. I cried: "My soul, my soul, thou must pass o'er This endless gulf that hath nor shoal nor shore, And this same night ev'n unto God must wend Over a bridge of arches without end. Nay, who can build it? None. Most dreadful pit! O weep!" While still I gazed in awe on it, A ghostly form and pale before me stept That had the seeming of a tear new wept; A virgin's brow, a child's soft hands were his; And white he was as a pure lily is; Light was where he clasped hands. He showed where loomed The hollow pit whereto all dust is doomed, So deep that thence no voice sounds back again, And said, "Thy bridge I'll build, if thou be fain." And on the pallid stranger I did stare. "What is thy name?" said I. He answered "Pray'r." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN LISTEN, LORD: A PRAYER by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON A PRAYER FOR THE FUTURE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) DIFFERENT WAYS TO PRAY by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE PRAYER DURING A TIME MY SON IS HAVING SEIZURES by SHARON OLDS WE WHO PRAYED AND WEPT by WENDELL BERRY PRAYERS AND SAYINGS OF THE MAD FARMER by WENDELL BERRY A COUP D'ETAT; AN INCIDENT IN THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 4, 1851 by VICTOR MARIE HUGO |
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