Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A HEART'S PRAYER, by LUCY LARCOM Poet's Biography First Line: A prayer is in my thoughts to-night Last Line: This prayer to-night I say. Subject(s): Prayer | ||||||||
A PRAYER is in my thoughts to-night I hardly dare to say: "Lord, put my wishes all to flight, Nor let me have my way!" I dare not say it, Lord, for fear My heart I may mistake; So many earthly things are dear, Perhaps, for earth's own sake. Nor can I think that Thou art glad In life despoiled of bloom, Since for all joy the words have had Thyself hast opened room. And yet the poison plant, so fair, So like the wholesome grows, To pluck my flower I will not dare, But trust His hand who knows. And this, indeed, is life's best thing, -- To take sweet gifts from Thee! If Thou some dark, sealed bud shouldst bring, It must hold light for me. In sadness I withheld my prayer, Hid under trembling fear; In praise it blossoms, unaware, Because the sun is near. My heart Thou wilt not crush or chill: "Lead into Thine my way! Through all my wishes breathe Thy will!" This prayer to-night I say. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN LISTEN, LORD: A PRAYER by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON A PRAYER FOR THE FUTURE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) DIFFERENT WAYS TO PRAY by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE PRAYER DURING A TIME MY SON IS HAVING SEIZURES by SHARON OLDS WE WHO PRAYED AND WEPT by WENDELL BERRY PRAYERS AND SAYINGS OF THE MAD FARMER by WENDELL BERRY |
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