Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE STONE LANTERN, by JANET B. MONTGOMERY MCGOVERN First Line: Old, dilapidated, grey; no longer a light-giver Last Line: To bring light and perfume. Subject(s): Old Age; Stones; Granite; Rocks | ||||||||
OLD, dilapidated, grey; no longer a light-giver, The stone lantern, or that which was once a lantern, Stands neglected in the corner of the garden; Lichened-over, crumbling, stones slipping one from the other, So that men can no more stand in reverend awe Before the sacred symbols that once these stones signified. To-day its glory consists in this: it is the support Of a morning-glory vine, that but for the broken stones Would trail in the dust, trodden under foot, A thing of hideousness, a smear of green slime on the geta. Instead of the heaven-reflecting joy that to-day smiles in the sunshine. So does the old lantern still serve a purpose. And so shall I believe that I do; I, whose life has been broken, who am to a woman What that old heap of stones is to a lantern new-made, Glowing with light that men love in lanterns and in women's eyes. For I, too, can act as a support, and shall, To that fair young woman Whom my lord has brought into the house To bring light and perfume. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STONE'S SECRET by MARGARET AVISON CONTRA MORTEM: THE STONE by HAYDEN CARRUTH NAMING FOR LOVE by HAYDEN CARRUTH OF THE STONES OF THE PLACE by ROBERT FROST THE EYE IN THE ROCK by JOHN HAINES THE HEAD ON THE TABLE by JOHN HAINES CHERRY TREES IN APRIL by JANET B. MONTGOMERY MCGOVERN |
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