Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PATIENT, by ANONYMOUS First Line: I was not patient in that olden time Last Line: Could ever compass underneath the sky Subject(s): Patience;waiting | ||||||||
I WAS not patient in that olden time When my unchastened heart began to long For bliss that lay beyond its reach; my prime Was wild, impulsive, passionate, and strong. I could not wait for happiness and love, Heaven-sent, to come and nestle in my breast; I could not realize that time might prove That patient waiting would avail me best. "Let me be happy now," my heart cried out, "In mine own way, and with my chosen lot; The future is too dark and full of doubt For me to tarry, and I trust it not. Take all my blessings, all I am and have, But give that glimpse of heaven before the grave." "Ah me!" God heard my wayward, selfish cry, And, taking pity on my blinded heart, He bade the angel of strong grief draw nigh, Who pierced my bosom in its tenderest part. I drank wrath's wine-cup to the bitter lees, With strong amazement and a broken will; Then, humbled, straightway fell upon my knees, And God doth know my heart is kneeling still; I have grown patient, seeking not to choose Mine own blind lot, but take that God shall send, In which, if what I long for I should lose, I know the loss will work some blessed end, -- Some better fate for mine and me than I Could ever compass underneath the sky. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALMOST AN ELEGY by JOSEPH BRODSKY THE AWAKENING by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON WAITING FOR SWEET BETTY by CLARENCE MAJOR GENTLEMEN, I ADDRESS YOU PUBLICLY by KENNETH REXROTH LA VIE EN ROSE by KENNETH REXROTH TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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