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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LAST POEMS: SONNET 4. TO ... IN CHURCH, by ALAN SEEGER Poet's Biography
First Line: If I was drawn here from a distant place
Last Line: And I confess it by adoring you.
Subject(s): Churches; Love; Soldiers' Writings; Cathedrals
First Line: If I was drawn here from a distant place
Last Line: And I confess it by adoring you.
Subject(s): Churches; Love; Soldiers' Writings; Cathedrals
If I was drawn here from a distant place,
'Twas not to pray nor hear our friend's address,
But, gazing once more on your winsome face,
To worship there Ideal Loveliness.
On that pure shrine that has too long ignored
The gifts that once I brought so frequently
I lay this votive offering, to record
How sweet your quiet beauty seemed to me.
Enchanting girl, my faith is not a thing
By futile prayers and vapid psalm-singing
To vent in crowded nave and public pew.
My creed is simple: that the world is fair,
And beauty the best thing to worship there,
And I confess it by adoring you.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
VIRGIN IN GLASS by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN
THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 3. FEEDING THE RABBITS by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR
EXPLICATION OF AN IMAGINARY TEXT by JAMES GALVIN
DOMESDAY BOOK: FATHER WHIMSETT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS
HALF-AND-HALF by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE
AT THE CHURCH DOOR by GEORGE SANTAYANA
CHAMPAGNE, 1914-1915 by ALAN SEEGER
ODE IN MEMORY OF THE AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS FALLEN FOR FRANCE by ALAN SEEGER