LORD, let me be the torch that springs to light And lives its life in one exultant flame, One leap of living fire against the night, Dropping to darkness even as it came. For I have watched the smouldering of a soul Choked in the ashes that itself hath made, Waiting the slow destruction of the whole, And turned from it, bewildered and afraid. Light me with love -- with hate -- with all desire For that I may not reach, but let me burn My little moment in pulsating fire Ere yet into the darkness I return; Be it for guard, or menace, peace or sword, Make me thy torch to burn out swiftly, Lord. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TRANSIENCE OF HANDS by KAREN SWENSON ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 2. ON THE WINTER SOLSTICE, 1740 by MARK AKENSIDE SONNET: EGYPT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH BEATRICE by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE THE FIRST BUD O' THE YEAR by CHARLES GRANGER BLANDEN BEFORE VICKSBURG by GEORGE HENRY BOKER |