|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THOMAS A KEMPIS, by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Brother of mine, good monk with cowled head Last Line: Peace and a comforter. Subject(s): Thomas A Kempis (1379-1471) | |||
BROTHER of mine, good monk with cowled head, Walled from that world which thou hast long since fled, And pacing thy green close beyond the sea, I send my heart to thee. Down gust-sweet walks, bordered by lavender, While eastward, westward, the mad swallows whir, All afternoon poring thy missal fair, Serene thou pacest there. Mixed with the words and fitting like a tune, Thou hearest distantly the voice of June, -- The little, gossipping noises in the grass, The bees that come and pass. Fades the long day; the pool behind the hedge Burns like a rose within the windy sedge; The lilies ghostlier grow in the dim air; The convent windows flare. Yet still thou lingerest; from pastures steep, Past the barred gate the shepherd drives his sheep; A nightingale breaks forth, and for a space Makes sweeter the sweet place. Then the gray monks by hooded twos and threes Move chapelward beneath the flaming trees; Closing thy book, back by the alleys fair Thou followest to prayer. Born to these brawling days, this work-sick age, Oft long I for thy simpler heritage; A thought of thee is like a breath of bloom Blown through a noisy room. For thou art quick, not dead. I picture thee Forever in that close beyond the sea; And find, despite this weather's headlong stir, Peace and a comforter. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THOMAS A KEMPIS: DE IMITATIONE CHRISTI by RICHARD ROGERS BOWKER A CHRISTMAS FOLK-SONG by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE A HOLIDAY by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE A LITTLE SONG OF LIFE by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE ANNE by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE DAFFODILS by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE IN TIME OF GRIEF by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE KEATS (1) by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE LYDIA (1) by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE RESERVE by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE TEARS by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE TELLING THE BEES (A COLONIAL CUSTOM) by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE |
| |