THEIR looks for me are bitter, And bitter is their word— I may not glance behind unseen, I may not sigh unheard. So fare we forth from Babylon, Along the road of stone; And no one looks to Babylon Save I—save I alone! My mother's eyes are glory-filled (Save when they fall on me) The shining of my father's face I tremble when I see, For they were slaves in Babylon, And now they're walking free— They leave their chains in Babylon, I bear my chains with me! At night a sound of singing The vast encampment fills; @3"Jerusalem! Jerusalem!"@1 It sweeps the nearing hills— But no one sings of Babylon (Their home of yesterday) And no one prays for Babylon, And I—I dare not pray! Last night the Prophet saw me; And, while he held me there, The holy fire within his eyes Burned all my secret bare. "What! Sigh you so for Babylon?" (I turned away my face) "Here's one who turns to Babylon, Heart traitor to her race!" I follow and I follow! My heart upon the rack; I follow to Jerusalem— The long road stretches back To Babylon, to Babylon! And every step I take Bears farther off from Babylon A heart that cannot break. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VOLUPTAS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON UNDER THE CEDARCROFT CHESTNUT by SIDNEY LANIER |