Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE NARROW WAY, by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE NARROW WAY, by                    
First Line: At sunset the young monk leaned from the wall
Last Line: "go pray, father -- go pray."
Subject(s): Desire; Monks; Sin


AT sunset the young monk leaned from the wall
To greet the fisher girl who passed below.
She answered gay "Good even" to his call,
But then he sighed, "Sunset or sunrise glow
"Are both alike to me; ah, what of good
"For one so sad, holds either night or day?"

"'Tis twilight in the shadow of your hood --
"Go pray, Father -- go pray!"

"MY soul is famished for the simple joys
"Free to mankind -- why not, alas, to me?
"The throbbing outer world's insistent noise
"Allures me like a magic melody.
"With wistfulness that warms to something fonder
"I hear the village children at their play."

"Their clamour could not reach the chapel yonder --
"Go pray, Father -- go pray."

"YOU are so sweet -- Madonna's eyes are cold --
"Madonna's lips have never learned your grace.
"Ah, smile again that I may grow more bold!
"Why, hand in hand, should we not flee this place
"Of gnawing discontent and barren sorrow?"

"Nay, Father, that's a deadly sin, they say --
"Beside. . . . Uguccio takes me home tomorrow!
"Go pray, Father -- go pray."





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net