"Standing with reluctant feet Where the brook and river meet." An organ swelling out its solemn measure, Its tones a-tremble on the morning air; An altar wreathed with fragrant buds of spring-time; A group of children, motionless in prayer. An earnest look upon the childish faces, So fair and innocent and free from guile; The boyish ones already brave and noble — The girlish faces, tender with a smile. In each a timid look of awe and wonder — A wish to scan the chart of time to be; To seek, perchance, some fairy-land of pleasure Within the bounds of bright reality. O future! Mystic realm of light and shadow! What will they find within thy portal grand? Does joy lie dreaming in thy moonlit meadow? Does happiness beside thy gate-way stand? What will young Israel in thee discover? What fate will mark its era on thy chart? The blight of apathy? — its mould and mildew? Or deeds dictated by a Jewish heart? These children — will they prove themselves as worthy The loving trust of parents and of friends? Will they sustain the dream that, in its beauty, The future with a tinge of glory blends? A group of angel faces hover o'er them, Enlisted by a mother's joyful tear — A group of loving angels of protection, Responsive to a father's hope and fear. The light of tapers falls in solemn splendor; A psalm is sung by some one — soft and low; And now a rabbi lifts his hands in blessing; Look at the picture, prithee, ere we go! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CHANNEL PASSAGE by RUPERT BROOKE SILVER by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE BINGEN ON THE RHINE by CAROLINE ELIZABETH SARAH SHERIDAN NORTON AMORETTI: 68 by EDMUND SPENSER SOME EYES CONDEMN by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS TO W. HOHENZOLLERN: A PLEA by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS |