Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON THE DEATH OF A SISTER WHILE ABSENT AT SCHOOL, by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Sweet sister! Is it so? And shall I see Last Line: Saviour of souls! I thank thee for her bliss. Subject(s): Death; Sisters; Dead, The | ||||||||
SWEET Sister! is it so? And shall I see Thy face on earth no more? And didst thou breathe The last sad pang of agonising life Upon a stranger's pillow? No kind hand, Of parent or of kindred near, to press Thy throbbing temples, when the shuddering dew Stood thick upon them? And they say my name Hung on thy lips 'mid the chill, parting strife. Ah! -- those were hallowed memories that could stir Thy bosom thus in death. The tender song Of cradle-nurture -- the low, lisping prayer, Learned at our mother's knee -- the childish sport, The gift divided, and the parted cake -- Our walk to school amid the dewy grass -- Our sweet flower-gatherings -- all those cloudless hours Together shared, did wake a love so strong That Time must yield it to Eternity For its full crown. Would it had been my lot But with one weeping prayer to gird thy heart For its last conflict. Would that I had seen That peaceful smile which Death did leave thy clay After his conquest o'er it. But the turf On thy lone grave was trodden, while I deemed Thee meekly musing o'er the classic page, Loving and loved, amid the studious band As erst I left thee. Sister! -- toils and ills Henceforth are past -- for knowledge without pain, A free translucent, everlasting tide, O'erflows thy spirit. Thou no more hast need Of man's protecting arm, for thou may'st lean On His unchanging throne who was thy trust, Even from thine early days. 'Tis well! 'tis well! Saviour of souls! I thank thee for her bliss. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND COLUMBUS [JANUARY, 1487] by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY |
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