LONG time across my path had lain A far-off bar like gathering rain; The sunshine beamed along my way, But this drew nearer day by day. I walked amid a laughing throng, I plucked the flowers, I sang my song; But all the time my load of care, My bar of threatening cloud, was there. Some day, I knew, that bar must break In tempest, fatal for my sake; And in my heart of hearts I laid My secret, and was sore afraid. And yet it caught me by surprise; Loud thunders pealed across the skies; Ere I had time for craven fear The hour had struck. The end was near. With lips and lids set hard together I sank upon the springy heather; I said farewell to pleasant things, And waited for the angel's wings. When, oh! the marvel! through the rain Came odours exquisite as pain; A softer warmth, like lovers' breath, Danced on my cheek instead of Death. The birds around me sang in choirs; My eyes unclosed to clearer fires; The storm was only sent to purge Of cloud my sky from verge to verge! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: DIRGE FOR WOLFRAM by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE RIVER IN THE MEADOWS by LEONIE ADAMS HYMN TO SCIENCE by MARK AKENSIDE THE ART OF PRESERVING HEALTH: BOOK 2. DIET by JOHN ARMSTRONG MAY CELEBRANTS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |