Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MY PICTURE, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER Poet's Biography First Line: Stand this way - more near the window Last Line: It shall stay and cheer the end! Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary Subject(s): Life; Portraits; Secrets | ||||||||
STAND this way -- more near the window -- By my desk -- you see the light Falling on my picture better -- Thus I see it while I write! Who the head may be I know not, But it has a student air; With a look half sad, half stately, Grave sweet eyes and flowing hair. Little care I who the painter, How obscure a name he bore; Nor, when some have named Velasquez, Did I value it the more. As it is, I would not give it For the rarest piece of art; It has dwelt with me, and listened To the secrets of my heart. Many a time, when to my garret, Weary, I returned at night, It has seemed to look a welcome That has made my poor room bright. Many a time, when ill and sleepless, I have watched the quivering gleam Of my lamp upon that picture, Till it faded in my dream. When dark days have come, and friendship Worthless seemed, and life in vain, That bright friendly smile has sent me Boldly to my task again. Sometimes when hard need has pressed me To bow down where I depise, I have read stern words of counsel In those sad, reproachful eyes. Nothing that my brain imagined, Or my weary hand has wrought, But it watched the dim Idea Spring forth into armed Thought. It has smiled on my successes, Raised me when my hopes were low, And by turns has looked upon me With all the loving eyes I know. Do you wonder that my picture Has become so like a friend? -- It has seen my life's beginnings, It shall stay and cheer the end! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT THE MUSEE RODIN IN PARIS by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR CHANEL NO. 5 by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR EXISTING LIGHT; FOR LEE NYE by MADELINE DEFREES GRETA GARBO AND THE STAR MESSENGER by MADELINE DEFREES ELSINORE IN THE LATE ANCIENT AUTUMN by NORMAN DUBIE MARGARET'S SPEECH by NORMAN DUBIE THE PARALLAX MONOGRAPH FOR RODIN by NORMAN DUBIE THE TREES OF MADAME BLAVATSKY by NORMAN DUBIE A DOUBTING HEART by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER |
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