Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SECOND COVENANT, by WILLIAM ROSE BENET Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I dreamt that we were lying Last Line: Was the love after death. Subject(s): Love; Soul | ||||||||
I dreamt that we were lying On a high hill afar, Our deepest thoughts replying To one lone star. High from the vault of heaven Its silver rays were shed; And the deep peace between us Was the peace of the dead. Our busy lives were over, Our day and night and day; Of you and me, your lover, Nought more to say; And sorrows we had vanquished, And blisses we had known, And our cares and our kisses To the four winds were blown. The handclasp of contrition, The eyesight of each Where each had recognition, Were passed, with our speech. Vast night declared above us, "Now sight and semblance fade, No heart's emotion bindeth A shadow to a shade." Then within me, lying near you, A dark sadness grew That, to cherish or to cheer you, There was nought left to do. Of happy daily service Nought now remained to me -- Of good news for you and comfort As once it used to be. No beauty save the spirit's Abode wide heaven's scrolls; No charm the flesh inherits, No strength save the soul's; As breath upon a mirror All recognizing sign. Yet nearer far and dearer Your soul spoke to mine. For viewed not of each other, But closer side by side Than child unto his mother, Than husband to bride, Thought unto thought you answered. One prayer we seemed -- one breath; And the deep love between us Was the love after death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CRUEL FALCON by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE WHOLE SOUL by PHILIP LEVINE I KNOW MY SOUL by CLAUDE MCKAY HONORING THE SAND; IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL by ROBERT BLY THE CHINESE PEAKS; FOR DONALD HALL by ROBERT BLY THE LIFE OF TOWNS: TOWN OF THE EXHUMATION by ANNE CARSON THE FALCONER OF GOD by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |
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