Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THOUGHTS IN A WHEAT-FIELD, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK Poet's Biography First Line: In his wide fields walks the master Last Line: "for it is my harvest time." Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria Subject(s): God | ||||||||
"The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels." IN his wide fields walks the Master, In his fair fields, ripe for harvest, Where the evening sun shines slant-wise On the rich ears heavy bending; Saith the Master: "It is time." Though no leaf shows brown decadence, And September's nightly frost-bite Only reddens the horizon, "It is full time," saith the Master, The wise Master, "It is time." Lo, he looks. That look compelling Brings his laborers to the harvest; Quick they gather, as in autumn Passage-birds in cloudy eddies Drop upon the seaside fields; White wings have they, and white raiment, White feet shod with swift obedience, Each lays down his golden palm branch, And uprears his sickle shining, "Speak, O Master, -- is it time?" O'er the field the servants hasten, Where the full-stored ears droop downwards, Humble with their weight of harvest: Where the empty ears wave upward, And the gay tares flaunt in rows: But the sickles, the sharp sickles, Flash new dawn at their appearing, Songs are heard in earth and heaven, For the reapers are the angels, And it is the harvest time. O Great Master, are thy footsteps Even now upon the mountains? Are thou walking in thy wheat-field? Are the snowy-winged reapers Gathering in the silent air? Are thy signs abroad, the glowing Of the distant sky, blood-reddened, -- And the near fields trodden, blighted, Choked by gaudy tares triumphant, -- Sure, it must be harvest time? Who shall know the Master's coming? Whether it be at dawn or sunset, When night dews weigh down the wheat-ears, Or while noon rides high in heaven, Sleeping lies the yellow field? Only, may thy voice, Good Master, Peal above the reapers' chorus, And dull sound of sheaves slow falling, -- "Gather all into My garner, For it is My harvest time." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MOUNTAIN IS STRIPPED by DAVID IGNATOW AS CLOSE AS BREATHING by MARK JARMAN UNHOLY SONNET 1 by MARK JARMAN UNHOLY SONNET 13 by MARK JARMAN BIRTH-DUES by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE SILENT SHEPHERDS by ROBINSON JEFFERS GOING TO THE HORSE FLATS by ROBINSON JEFFERS BY THE ALMA RIVER by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK DOUGLAS, DOUGLAS, TENDER AND TRUE by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK |
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