Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DREAMER, by MARY ANN H. DODD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DREAMER, by                    
First Line: Heart of mine, why art thou dreaming!
Last Line: Father, give that peace to me!
Subject(s): Dreams; Nightmares


"A dark, cold calm, which nothing now can break,
Or warm, or brighten; like that Syrian lake,
Upon whose surface Morn and Summer shed
Their smiles in vain, for all beneath is dead."

HEART of mine, why art thou dreaming!
Dreaming through the weary day,
While life's precious hours are wasting,
Fast, and unimproved, away?

With a world of beauty round me,
Lone and sad I dwell apart;
Changing scenes can bring no pleasure
To this wrecked and worn-out heart.

Now I tempt the quiet Ocean
While the sky is bright above,
And the sunlight rests around me,
Like the beaming smile of Love.

Or by streamlet softly flowing
Through the vale I wander now,
And the balmy breath of Summer
Fans my cheek and cools my brow.

But as well, to me, might darken
Over all the gloom of night;
For no quick and sweet sensations
Fill my soul with new delight.

In the grass-grown silent church-yard,
With a listless step, I rove;
And I shed no tear of sorrow
By the graves of those I love.

Could I weep the spell might vanish,
Tears would bring my heart relief;
Heart so sealed to all emotion,
Dead alike to joy and grief.

When the storm that shook my spirit
Left its mission finish'd there,
Then a calm more fearful follow'd
Than the wildness of despair.

Whence the spell that chills my being,
Bidding every passion cease;
Closing every fount of feeling?
Say, my spirit, is it peace?

Wake, oh spell-bound soul, awaken,
Bid this sad delusion flee,
Such a lengthen'd dream is fearful;
Such a peace is not for thee.

Life is thine, and "life is earnest,"
Toil and grief thou canst not shun,
But be hopeful and believing,
Till the prize of faith is won.

Then the peace thou shalt inherit
By the Saviour promised free;
Peace the world destroyeth never, --
Father, give that peace to me!





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