Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE UNFINISHED BOOK, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK Poet's Biography First Line: Take it, reader, idly passing Last Line: In the heaven of heavens alone. Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria Subject(s): Books; Reading | ||||||||
TAKE it, reader, idly passing, This, like other idle lines; Take it, critic, great at classing Subtle genius and its signs: But, O reader, be thou dumb; Critic, let no sharp wit come; For the hand that wrote and blurred Will not write another word; And the soul you scorn or prize, Now than angels is more wise. Take it, heart of man or woman, This unfinished broken strain, Whether it be poor or common Or the noblest work of brain; Let that good heart only sit Now in judgment over it Tenderly, as we would read, -- Any one, of any creed, Any churchyard passing by, -- "Sacred to the Memory. Wholly sacred: even as lingers Final word, or last look cast. Or last clasp of life-warm fingers, Which we knew not was the last. Or, as we apart do lay, The day after funeral-day, Their dear relics, great and small, Who need nothing -- yet win all: All the best we had and have, Buried in one silent grave. All our highest aspirations, And our closest love of loves; Our most secret resignations, Our best work that man approves, Yet which jealously we keep In our mute heart's deepest deep. So of this poor broken song Let no echoes here prolong: For the singer's voice is known In the heaven of heavens alone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWO SONNETS: 1 by DAVID LEHMAN THE ILLUSTRATION?ÇÖA FOOTNOTE by DENISE LEVERTOV FALLING ASLEEP OVER THE AENEID by ROBERT LOWELL POETRY MACHINES by CATE MARVIN LENDING LIBRARY by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY BY THE ALMA RIVER by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK DOUGLAS, DOUGLAS, TENDER AND TRUE by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK |
|