Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SACRAMENT OF FIRE, by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY First Line: Kneel always when you light a fire! Last Line: To god for his unfailing charity! Alternate Author Name(s): Oxenham, John Subject(s): Fire; Religion; Sacraments; Theology | ||||||||
Kneel always when you light a fire! Kneel reverently, and thankful be For God's unfailing charity, And on the ascending flame inspire A little prayer, that shall upbear The incense of your thankfulness For this sweet grace Of warmth and light! For here again is sacrifice For your delight. Within the wood, That lived a joyous life Through sunny days and rainy days And winter storms and strife; -- Within the peat, That drank the moorland sweet Of bracken, whin, and sweet bell-heather, And all the joy of gold gorse feather Flaming like Love in wintriest weather, -- While snug below, in sun and snow, Peat heard the beat of the padding feet Of foal and dam, and ewe and lamb, And the stamp of old bell-wether; -- Within the coal, Where forests lie entombed, Oak, elm, and chestnut, beech, and red pine bole, -- God shrined His sunshine, and enwombed For you these stores of light and heat, Your life-joys to complete. These all have died that you might live; Yours now the high prerogative To loose their long captivities, -- To give them new sweet span of life And fresh activities. Kneel always when you light a fire! Kneel reverently, And grateful be To God for His unfailing charity! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A NEW EARTH by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY |
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