Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LINES ON A DEAD GIRL, by PRISCILLA JANE THOMPSON Poet's Biography First Line: Close the dim eyes, for expression hath left them Last Line: Saying, 'amen' to her summons to rest. Subject(s): Death; Dead, The | ||||||||
CLOSE the dim eyes, for expression hath left them; Arrange the limp hands, ere stiffness ensue; Cover her over, with a cloth of pure whiteness; Reverence her clay, it is all we can do. Never again shall those calm lips be parted, Displaying the pearl in the sunshine of mirth; Never those dim eyes in sympathy kindle, Nature hath claimed her dust for the earth. Ever her image is bright in our vision, Recalling so vividly, days that are fled; Days, when her light step, her smile, and her beauty, Seemed more for the living, than marked for the dead. Short was her day -- so early she faded; Sank as the sun sinks, behind a great hill -- And, though his grand form is lost to the vision, The light of his splendor is lingering still. Long may the light of her splendor be with us -- Spreading a balm, that shall soothe ev'ry breast; Soon may we muse on her, with resignation; Saying, 'Amen' to her summons to rest. | 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 A CHRISTMAS GHOST by PRISCILLA JANE THOMPSON |
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