Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CONFIRMATION, by MIRIAM DEL BANCO



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CONFIRMATION, by                    
First Line: An organ swelling out its solemn measure
Last Line: Look at the picture, prithee, ere we go!
Subject(s): Children; Clergy; Confirmation; Childhood; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops


"Standing with reluctant feet
Where the brook and river meet."

An organ swelling out its solemn measure,
Its tones a-tremble on the morning air;
An altar wreathed with fragrant buds of spring-time;
A group of children, motionless in prayer.

An earnest look upon the childish faces,
So fair and innocent and free from guile;
The boyish ones already brave and noble —
The girlish faces, tender with a smile.

In each a timid look of awe and wonder —
A wish to scan the chart of time to be;
To seek, perchance, some fairy-land of pleasure
Within the bounds of bright reality.

O future! Mystic realm of light and shadow!
What will they find within thy portal grand?
Does joy lie dreaming in thy moonlit meadow?
Does happiness beside thy gate-way stand?

What will young Israel in thee discover?
What fate will mark its era on thy chart?
The blight of apathy? — its mould and mildew?
Or deeds dictated by a Jewish heart?

These children — will they prove themselves as worthy
The loving trust of parents and of friends?
Will they sustain the dream that, in its beauty,
The future with a tinge of glory blends?

A group of angel faces hover o'er them,
Enlisted by a mother's joyful tear —
A group of loving angels of protection,
Responsive to a father's hope and fear.

The light of tapers falls in solemn splendor;
A psalm is sung by some one — soft and low;
And now a rabbi lifts his hands in blessing;
Look at the picture, prithee, ere we go!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net