WHEN I was born God stood in Heaven, and asked: What wilt thou, Soul? I said: The gift of Song; I ask no more than this—that I may sing. God sighed, and lo, Grief fell From out high Heaven and smote me on the heart. I cried aloud for pain, and beat my breast. But all my cries were music, and men list, And feasted on the sweetness of my woe. While I, I hid my face, And knew not day from night for agony. O God, I cried, take back thy poisoned gift, The gift of Song! Let me be dumb for ever, only so My pain have ease! Then God did hear again, and stooped Him down And drew the burning arrow from my side; And silence fell on me; my pulse stood still, My lips closed softly, and I sang no more. But men turned from me, saying: He is dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE WHEEL OF BEING II by HAYDEN CARRUTH LEFT-HANDED POEM by JAMES GALVIN BONDAGE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO HENRY LINCOLN JOHNSON - LAWYER by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO TIME by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON ADMETUS; TO MY FRIEND RALPH WALDO EMERSON by EMMA LAZARUS |