Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DEAF GIRL, by GEORGE MURRAY (1830-1910)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DEAF GIRL, by                    
First Line: When childhood's laughing tones reveal
Last Line: But god, god only, held the key!
Subject(s): Deafness; Solitude; Loneliness


When childhood's laughing tones reveal
Deep blessedness of heart,
I feign the joy I long to feel
And check the sobs that start;
Shrouding the agony that lies
Within my dim, tear-blinded eyes,
Because on earth eternally
The door of sound is closed for me,
And man—man knoweth not the key!

In solitude I love to dream
Of what I may not hear,
And muse how sweet a sound must seem,
A human voice, how dear!
Alas! that dreams which soothe and bless
Should be so full of nothingness!
I wake and all is mystery:
The door of sound is closed for me,
And man—man knoweth not the key!

I shall not long be here on earth,
My mother's eyes are wet:
She felt, e'en when she gave me birth,
My star would quickly set.
I grow less earthly day by day,
Then tell me why should death delay?
God calls me home, God sets me free:
The door of sound is closed for me,
But oh! it shall not always be.

My form is frail, my sight is dim,
Life's tide is ebbing fast:
My failing senses seem to swim
And all will soon be past!
Peace, peace! I hear sweet angel-tones
Singing in Heaven round the thrones;
One last brief prayer on bended knee—
The door of sound is oped for me,
But God, God only, held the key!





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