Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SENDING, by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SENDING, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas god in heaven who spake to death
Last Line: "I was so weary, death!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Faulks, Frederick J., Mrs.
Subject(s): Christianity; God; Jesus Christ


'TWAS God in Heaven who spake to Death
That stood beside his knee:
"O lover of all men that live,
Whose arms clasp land and sea,
Find thou on earth the weariest soul
And bear it hence to me."

It was God's messenger who went
Swift-footed on his way;
Like flame he crossed the rim of night,
Like shadow crossed the day,
And as he passed the glad dead smiled
As soothed children may.

It was God's messenger who sped
Like blown wind through the spheres;
Across the little paths of earth,
With feet that no man hears,
He reached the portal of that place
That is the House of Tears.

It was God's messenger who stood
And watched with pitying eyes
The burning tears of those who wept,
Who heard the broken sighs
Of men who cried aloud their griefs
And mourned their miseries.

It was God's messenger who spake:
"Not theirs the gift I bring.
Behold the sorrow that is said
Becomes a little thing;
And there is solace in man's tears
That is God's comforting."

It was God's messenger who went
The little ways of earth.
The red moon smouldered in the clouds
Like fire upon a hearth,
And lo! he came unto that place
That is the House of Mirth.

It was God's messenger who heard
The laughter and the cheer.
The wine was red upon the board,
The lights burned high and clear,
And one laugh rang above the rest
That joyed men's hearts to hear.

It was God's messenger who heard
One voice above the rest --
She who was gayest in the song
And quickest with the jest,
And lo! he saw the broken heart
That ached within her breast.

It was God's messenger who bent
And touched her tenderly:
"Great is the anguish of a smile
That shows where grief should be,
And awful are the unshed tears
That never man may see."

It was God's messenger who spake
That word that no man saith;
It was the poor soul on his breast
That smiled in her last breath,
"Strove I not well? -- how didst thou know
I was so weary, Death!"





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