Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MIDNIGHT AT THE MILL, by WINIFRED VIRGINIA JACKSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MIDNIGHT AT THE MILL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once an angel came and said
Last Line: "and I would lovely be!"
Subject(s): Angels; Dreams; Murder; Nightmares


Once an Angel came and said,
"Arise, my daughter, from your bed
And come and walk with me."
"But, Sir," I cried, "the hour is late
And I and my Love wed at eight
And I would lovely be!"

No will had I to call my own
Before this Angel, ghostways blown,
All sorrowful and hoar;
So up I rose and out I went,
On strength that to my soul was lent,
Through black and locked door.

And far we walked and up a hill,
And down and down and to a mill,
Where waters darkly crept.
The Angel raised his hand on high,
And out full forty bats did fly,
And out a great cat leapt.

And through the doorway writhed a snake,
A lizard followed in his wake,
As slow the wheel did turn.
A clack of hoofs fell on my ear,
And on me burst a mighty fear
That in me hot did burn.

A rider, ruffed and gray of coat,
With ribald song loud in his throat,
Did stop and crack his whip:
And out the door a gaunt man came,
Who breathed a curse, who breathed a name,
Upon a pallid lip.

The rider flashed a dagger bright;
A cry throbbed through the dismal night
That on my soul did fall.
A hand touched mine with pitying grace,
As light bloomed on the rider's face
And pierced his inner scall.

The Angel raised his hand on high,
And in full forty bats did fly,
And in a great cat leapt;
And through the doorway writhed a snake.
A lizard followed in his wake,
As waters darkly crept.

And now I weep upon my bed,
In sore amaze, uncomforted,
Distressing of my kin;
At tale I told of that strange place,
Full well I read my Love's bold face
Uncovering his sin.

Once an Angel came and said,
"Arise, my daughter, from your bed
And come and walk with me."
"But, Sir," I cried, "the hour is late
And I and my Love wed at eight
And I would lovely be!"





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