Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HEAVEN, by KATHARINE HAVILAND TAYLOR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HEAVEN, by                    
First Line: I am too little for a grand eternity
Last Line: Too short yesterday!
Subject(s): Future Life; Retribution; Eternity; After Life


I am too little for a grand eternity.
I want in my tomorrow, things I see
And things I've seen -- that faded all too soon.
Instead of angels' voices, I would hear a spoon
Beating upon a table; seeing a laughing face
Warm glowing, living -- without please God --
Death's cold, set trace.
Instead of golden streets, I'd stand within
A doorway I know well. Is this a sin
To want my kitchen door, sagging of stoop;
To want instead of Heaven's Host, a group
Of little folk, all hot and tired from play?
If so, please pardon me, Dear God, but
Short was yesterday!

I am too earth-bound for a grand eternity.
Sometimes I almost laugh at plans I make...
I see myself in Heaven wearing apron, checked;
I see the sky above the barn, cloud flecked;
The chickens strutting proudly in the yard,
Then -- little folks around me; hungry, tired --
How their small careless touches
My heart fired.
Again at Heaven's bedtime I would see
All that made Heaven pale by earth
Turning to me.
Small buttons, lisping prayers, the big frog's cry
I want those -- more world things
Past stars and sky.

I want to end my days beyond as I did here,
Tired from hard work for all I held most dear;
In Heaven's night to bend above small beds,
To straighten covers, look on tangled heads --
A foolish woman, I, perhaps but mine
I would the way
I traveled, loved and lost in a
Too short yesterday!





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