Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AT LAST, by DOLLIE CAROLINE MAITLAND RADFORD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AT LAST, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My feet had faltered in the way
Last Line: So unaware.
Alternate Author Name(s): Radford, Ernest, Mrs.


MY feet had faltered in the way,
Before I was aware,
In the bleak road it was most mete
I should before the night complete,
The stony road that tore my feet --
Which were so bare.

My eyes were watchful as I went,
And steadfast night and day,
Through all the valley mists that rise
From spring to spring -- I was so wise --
There were not any tearless eyes
More clear than they.

So sure upon the road I was,
My heart was cold as stone,
I would not let its passion wake,
I strove and killed it for the sake
Of that high way I thought to take,
Till Heaven were won.

So cold my heart and icy deep,
The dreams upon it cast,
My pain was like a frozen shroud
Round a dead Queen whose face is proud,
The while I said that God allowed
Such pain to last.

But came a day of all the days
That were so surely bleak,
My shroud was changed to leaping flame,
From sun and moon and stars there came
A fire to fill my heart -- whose name
I dare not speak.

I did not stop for joy or fear,
I did not stay my feet,
I said "My heart is strong as fire,
My heart shall burn with its desire,
Its rapture shall not break nor tire
This is most mete."

Before I was aware, oh God,
Before my strength could choose,
I left the road so long decreed,
I faltered -- and my steps were freed,
To find these flowers -- for all my need --
These morning dews.

This summer bed of fragrant thyme,
For me so newly made,
These shining meadows through whose sun
Like little streams the shadows run,
Where now -- before the day is done --
I am afraid.

My tears are wet upon my cheek
I have not any care,
Deep in the dews I bow my face --
To ask Thy pity in this place,
Where I have faltered by Thy grace,
So unaware.







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