Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BURDEN OF A SIGH, by LEVI BISHOP


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BURDEN OF A SIGH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When we on earth have run our race
Last Line: Be felt beyond the grave!
Subject(s): Death; Earth; Graves; Life; Dead, The; World; Tombs; Tombstones


When we on earth have run our race,
And earthly visions flee;
And we are called upon to face
That dread eternity:

As we lie down, o'erwhelmed with pain,
And feel the ebb of life;
And care and human skill are vain,
And flesh gives up the strife:

As flickering lights more dimly grow,
And stifled is the breath;
And feeble pulse more languid flow,
And feel the chill of death:

As vain is found each earthly trust,
Unworthy of the name;
And these poor frames return to dust,
To dust from whence they came:

As to that resting place we go,
That narrow house of gloom;
And weeds, and grass, and wild flowers grow,
On that forgotten tomb:

Then lift Thine arm, Almighty God,
And stretch it forth to save!
Oh, let not Thine avenging rod,
Be felt beyond the grave!





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