Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LAME SHEPHERD by KATHARINE LEE BATES

Poet Analysis

First Line: SLOWLY I FOLLOWED ON
Last Line: KISSING AND KNEELING.
Subject(s): CHRISTMAS; HEALING; JESUS CHRIST; MIRACLES; SHEPHERDS & SHEPHERDESSES; NATIVITY, THE; CURES;

SLOWLY I followed on,
Stumbling and falling.
All the air sparkled;
All the air sung.
Even to my dull heart
Glory was calling;
Slowly I followed on,
Stumbling and falling.

Great wings arched over me,
Purple and amber;
Night was all color,
Night was all gleam.
Wearily up the hill
Needs must I clamber,
Though wings arched over me,
Purple and amber.

Proudly the chorus pealed
While I was panting.
Winds were all music,
Voices all praise;
Brooks, birds, the waving trees
Joined in the chanting;
Proudly the chorus pealed,
While I was panting.

Late came my aching feet,
Late to the manger;
All slept in silence,
All dreamed in dusk
Under the same dear stars.
No star a stranger.
Late came my aching feet,
Late to the manger.

Kissing a baby's hand,
Painfully kneeling,
Sweet little drowsy hand,
Honey of heaven,
Swift through my twisted limbs
Glowed a glad healing,
Kissing a baby's hand,
Kissing and kneeling.



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