Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS WARD by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS

First Line: THE GATES AJAR ARE OPEN WIDE
Last Line: BEYOND THE SHADOWS AND THE NIGHTS.
Subject(s): WARD, ELIZABETH S. PHELPS (1844-1911);

The Gates Ajar are open wide,
And she who once had passed inside
On daring wings of reverence,
Has entered, and will there abide.

What joys already she has seen!
What happy valleys robed in green,
What lifted mountains fine and far,
And lakes aglow with morning sheen!

How light she walks! and every place
Wears a familiar, loving face, --
Fond scenes the traveller once knew,
And longed her journey to retrace.

What homely voices endless dear
Her hungry soul has leaped to hear!
What heartsome bits of every day
Have fallen on her eager ear!

And now, I think, amid the lights
Of blessed home, she sits and writes
What we perhaps shall read some day
Beyond the shadows and the nights.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net