As one by one the singers of our land, Summoned away by Death's unfailing dart, Unto the greater mystery depart, Sadly we watch them from the desolate strand. Oh! who shall fill their places in the band Of tuneful voices? Who with equal art Speak the unwritten language of the heart, And the mute signs of Nature understand? Yet poetry from earth has never ceased: It is a fire perpetual, which has caught Its flame from off the altar-place of Heaven. Never has failed, in darkest days, a priest Who, by no price or gain or glory bought, For his soul's peace his life to song has given. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: LUCINDA MATLOCK by EDGAR LEE MASTERS EXPLANATION by VIRGINIA A. ALLIN ON MICHAEL ANGELO by WASHINGTON ALLSTON RING FROM THE RIM OF THE GLASS, BOYS by JOHN CLINTON ANTHONY TWO KINDS OF RICHES by WILLIAM BLAKE BATTALION IN REST by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |