ONLY one moment unfettered by care, Hushed as the temple devoted to prayer, When heaven is painting the west, Flooding the sky through its portals ajar, Looping the curtains of night with a star -- Give me rest. Spirit of power, forever you'll reign, Tyrant, enslaving the heart and the brain, With every endeavor oppressed. Sick of the lessons that Nature has taught, Weary with burdens of infinite thought -- Give me rest. Grant me a potion lethean, a draught Sparkling with tranquil repose never quaffed By mortals at pleasure's behest. Give me a peace the world cannot give -- Respite from action; to act is to live -- Give me rest. Ceaseless the toil of the spirit distraught, Boundless the realm of invisible thought, Where imagery lingers caressed. Waves of oblivion over me roll, Welcome forgetfulness bring to my soul -- Give me rest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DUSK IN WAR TIME by SARA TEASDALE LONDON SNOW by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESSES by ROBERT HERRICK SONG OF THE ANGELS AT THE NATIVITY by NAHUM TATE IN AN ATELIER by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE VIOLET by ALEXANDER ANDERSON |