Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TWILIGHT, by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I would ye had not glared on me so soon Last Line: The erring spirit. Subject(s): Evening; Sunset; Twilight | ||||||||
I WOULD ye had not glared on me so soon, Officious lamps! -- that gild the parlor scene With such oppressive brightness. -- They were here Whose garments like the tissue of our dreams Steal o'er the eye, and win it from the world. They smiled on me so sweetly, and their hands Clasped mine, and their calm presence woo'd away The throb of grief so tenderly -- I would That twilight to the purple peep of dawn Had kindly lingered. She, who nearest hung, Pressing my head to her meek, matron breast, Was one who lulled me to my cradle sleep, With such blest melodies as memory pours Fresh from her echo-harp, when the fond heart Asks for its buried joys. -- Slow years have sown Rank rooted herbage o'er her lowly couch, Since she arose to chant that endless song Which hath no dissonance. Another form Sat at her feet, whose brow was bright with bloom When the cold grave shut o'er it. -- It hath left Its image every where -- upon my books, My bower of musing, and my page of thought, And the lone altar of the secret soul. Would that those lips had spoken! -- yet I hear Always their ring-dove murmuring, when I tread Our wonted shady haunts. Say, is there aught Like the tried friendship of the sacred dead? It cannot hide its face, it changeth not, Grieves not, suspects not, may not fleet away; For as a seal upon the melted heart 'Tis set forever. -- Sure 'tis weak to mourn Though thorns are at the bosom, or the blasts Of this bleak world beat harshly, if there come Such angel-visitants at even-tide, Or midnight's holy hush, to cleanse away The stains which day hath gathered, and with touch Pure and ethereal to sublimate The erring spirit. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...JOURNEY INTO THE EYE by DAVID LEHMAN FEBRUARY EVENING IN NEW YORK by DENISE LEVERTOV THE HOUSE OF DUST: 1 by CONRAD AIKEN TWILIGHT COMES by HAYDEN CARRUTH IN THE EVENINGS by LUCILLE CLIFTON NINETEEN FORTY by NORMAN DUBIE COLUMBUS [JANUARY, 1487] by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY |
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