Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AFTER GREAT DROUGHT, by KATHARINE TYNAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AFTER GREAT DROUGHT, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: The rain gropes with delicate pushing fingers
Last Line: The world's as sweet as a rose: a rain-wet rose.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hinkson, Katharine Tynan
Subject(s): Comfort; Drought; Flowers; God; Hope; Rain; Roses; Optimism


THE rain gropes with delicate pushing fingers
At the dry lips of the small things, dying of pain,
Gives of her breast. 'Twas but a dream! She tarries and lingers.
The thirsty death is upon them. Hasten, O Rain!

It is no dream, little sisters! Her white foot passes,
Plashing in water sweeter than honey-dew.
Take heart, O slender ones, all ye flowers and ye grasses,
The river of life is running for you and you.

Fainting and dying, the cattle in bone-dry pasture
Dream in a mirage of water up to the hocks.
Hope, little brothers! The glint of her white, wet vesture
Cheats you no longer. Hark to the water-brooks!

Earth's sick children, the old and the fevered bodies
That had no rest for the fierce heat and the drouth,
Ask: Is it she? the beloved, the life-giving goddess?
Her wet hands in their hair, her kiss on their mouth.

Ring out, ye garden bells, from a fairy steeple;
Canterbury bells and harebells shake all the towers,
Because our God wills not the death of the people,
Because His Rain comforts this earth of ours.

Because the glad streams are running by hills and valleys,
Because the springs are filling; the wet wind blows,
The draught of life flows fast from a brimming chalice,
The world's as sweet as a rose: a rain-wet rose.





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