Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WAITING ANGEL, by RACHEL ANNAND TAYLOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE WAITING ANGEL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We are leaning through the roses
Last Line: Surely I shall rise and go.
Subject(s): Angels; Death; Hearts; Heaven; Love - Loss Of; Mourning; Dead, The; Paradise; Bereavement


WE are leaning through the roses
Mid the thrill of the sweet closes
Of our tender violing.
Up and down, up and down
All the ways of our dream-town,
Round a dragon-crested King,
Ride the noble knights of old,
All in azure, green, and gold.
We two cast them our dream-roses
Mid the sweetness of the closes
Of our tender violing.

But I know, behind the star-lit
Dusk of emerald, a scarlet
Strange Archangel brooding stands.
Waiting still, waiting still,
Gazing with a mournful will
At the sword within his hands.
Through the delicate green light
Winds the Pomp of our delight:
But I know behind the star-lit
Dusk of emerald, a scarlet
Angel lifts his armèd hands.

But when all the stars are weeping,
When my Well-beloved lies sleeping
Softly I shall rise and go.
I shall wrestle with that dread
Angel of the bended head.
"Death! Oh Death! Thy name I know.
Mock me not that I am frail.
I am Love: I must prevail
Here, where all the stars are weeping."
When the Well-Beloved lies sleeping,
Surely I shall rise and go.





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