"I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven." REVELATIONS, IV., 31. IT seemed not as a dream, and yet I stood Beside Heaven's gate. Its mighty valves were loosed, And upward, from earth's tribulation, came A soul, whose passport, signed in Calvary's blood, Prevailed. Around the golden threshold's verge I saw the dazzling of celestial wings, Thronging to welcome it. The towering form Of an archangel bore it company Up to God's throne. Soft on my ear their tones, Serenely wafted by ambrosial gales, Fell like rich music. "Wherefore didst thou pass Weeping along thy pilgrimage?" inquired The sinless seraph. "Thorns beset my path. I sought and found not. I obtained and mourned. I loved and lost. Ingratitude and Hate Did whet their serpent tooth upon my fame. My wealth took wing. I planted seeds of bliss, And sorrow blossomed." But the risen from earth Faltered to mark that high archangel's glance Bent downward with surprise, as though it asked -- "Had thy felicity no deeper root, Thou sky-born soul, for whom the Son of God Bowed to be crucified?" So when I saw, Or dreamed I saw, that even in Heaven might dwell Reproof and penitence, I prayed to look Ever upon that flood of light which gilds Each morning with its mercy, and whose beams Are brightened every moment, and to bear God's discipline with gladness; that no tear For trials lost, be shed beyond the grave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOMESDAY BOOK: ALMA BELL TO THE CORONER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS FALSE FRIENDS-LIKE by WILLIAM BARNES HASTE NOT! REST NOT! by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE THE HABIT OF PERFECTION by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS MICHAEL; A PASTORAL POEM by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |