Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MAGDALEN, by HARRIET PRESCOTT SPOFFORD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MAGDALEN, by             Poet's Biography
First Line: If any woman of us all
Last Line: Could we but also claim that deed!
Subject(s): Mary Magdalen; Women - Bible; Mary Magdalene


If any woman of us all,
If any woman of the street,
Before the Lord should pause and fall,
And with her long hair wipe his feet;

He, whom with yearning hearts we love,
And fain would see with human eyes
Around our living pathway move,
And underneath our daily skies;

The Maker of the heavens and earth,
The Lord of life, the Lord of death,
In whom the universe had birth
But breathing of our breath one breath! -

If any woman of the street
Should kneel, and with the lifted mesh
Of her long tresses wipe his feet,
And with her kisses kiss their flesh, -

How round that woman would we throng!
How willingly would clasp her hands,
Fresh from that touch divine, and long
To gather up the twice-blest strands!

How eagerly with her would change
Our trivial innocence, nor heed
Her shameful memories and strange,
Could we but also claim that deed!




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