Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LISTENING ANGELS, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER Poet's Biography First Line: Blue against the bluer heavens Last Line: Slowly passed away. Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary Subject(s): Angels; Silence | ||||||||
BLUE against the bluer heavens Stood the mountain, calm and still, Two white Angels, bending earthward, Leant upon the hill. Listening leant those silent Angels, And I also longed to hear -- What sweet strain of earthly music Thus could charm their ear. I heard the sound of many trumpets In a warlike march draw nigh; Solemnly a mighty army Passed in order by. But the clang had ceased; the echoes Soon had faded from the hill; While the Angels, calm and earnest, Leant and listened still. Then I heard a fainter clamor, Forge and wheel were clashing near. And the Reapers in the meadow Singing loud and clear. When the sunset came in glory, And the toil of day was o'er, Still the Angels leant in silence, Listening as before. Then, as daylight slowly vanished, And the evening mists grew dim, Solemnly from distant voices Rose a vesper hymn. When the chant was done, and lingering Died upon the evening air, From the hill the radiant Angels Still were listening there. Silent came the gathering darkness Bringing with it sleep and rest; Save a little bird was singing Near her leafy nest. Through the sounds of war and labor She had warbled all day long, While the Angels leant and listened Only to her song. But the starry night was coming; When she ceased her little lay, From the mountain-top the Angels Slowly passed away. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SONG OF SILENCE by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON TANKA DIARY (9) by HARRYETTE MULLEN 7 A.M., A MAN AND A WOMAN by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THIS MORNING, GOD by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A DOUBTING HEART by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER |
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