Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PAINED UNTO DEATH, by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PAINED UNTO DEATH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: One life I knew was a psalm, a terrible psalm of pain
Last Line: And was and was not of this under earth.
Subject(s): Death; Pain; Dead, The; Suffering; Misery


ONE life I knew was a psalm, a terrible psalm of pain,
Dark with disaster of torment, body and brain
Racked as if God were not, and hope a dream
Some demon wrought to bid this soul blaspheme
All life's remembered sweetness. "Peace, be still,"
I hear her spirit whisper. "His the will
That from some unseen bow of purpose sped
Thy sorrow and my torture." God of dread!
The long sad years that justify the dead,
The long sad years at last interpreted:
Serene as clouds that over stormy seas
At sunset rise with mystery of increase,
One with the passionate deep that gave them birth,
Her gentled spirit rose on wings of peace,
And was and was not of this under earth.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net