Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN COMMON DAYS, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN COMMON DAYS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In days supreme, of fond delight
Last Line: Then most we need the strength of prayer.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Prayer


IN days supreme, of fond delight,
When happy thoughts within us dwell,
Like vestals robed in stainless white,—
Who time their footsteps by the swell
Of sweet-voiced bells upon the air—
Then have we least the need for prayer.

In days obscured by veiling folds
Of grief, or clouded o'er with dread,
While dumb suspense relentless holds
Its sword above the shrinking head,—
Then, even in the soul's despair,
Is not the deepest need of prayer.

Since to the dark Gethsemane
The pitying angels, soon or late,
Must come with tenderest ministry,
And each blithe day is but the gate
To some rich temple, rising fair,
Which builds to heaven a golden stair—

God keep us through the common days,
The level stretches, white with dust,
When thought is tired, and hands upraise
Their burdens feebly, since they must.
In days of slowly fretting care,
Then most we need the strength of prayer.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net