Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PRAYER WHILE DUSTING by VIOLA DOWNEN

First Line: OFTEN, WHEN SHE DUSTED, SHE WOULD CHANGE
Last Line: THAT HEAVEN IS LOVELIER, BECAUSE SHE'S THERE.
Subject(s): HEAVEN; PARADISE;

Often, when she dusted, she would change
The placing of a picture or a chair
And wait his grave consideration, hoping
He would say: "Yes, it's better, there."

He said she had a way of bringing beauty
To the barest place; and however much
Of loveliness a room might claim, it gained
In warmth and sweetness, from her tender touch.

But now ... she hasn't made a change in months --
Each chair and book keeps its accustomed place;
For she has left only the echo of his words,
Only a memory of his face.

Perhaps she errs, but who is there to say?
For time and time again, she breathes a prayer
That soon she'll see his smile and hear him say
That Heaven is lovelier, because she's there.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net