Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AT CLOSE OF DAY by JON STEFANSSON

First Line: WHEN SUNNY HILLS ARE DRAPED IN VELVET SHADOWS
Last Line: AND PASS AWAY.
Subject(s): EVENING; SUNSET; TWILIGHT;

WHEN sunny hills are draped in velvet shadows
By summer night
And Lady Moon hangs out among the tree tops
Her crescent bright;
And when the welcome evening breeze is cooling
My fevered brow
And all who toil rejoice that blessed night time
Approaches now --

When out among the herds the bells are tinkling,
Now clear, now faint,
And in the woods a lonely bird is voicing
His evening plaint;
And when the breeze with drowsy accent whispers
Its melody,
And from the brook the joyous cries of children
Are borne to me;

When fields of grain have caught a gleam of moonlight
But dark the ground --
A pearl-gray mist has filled to over-flowing
The dells around;
Some golden stars are peeping forth to brighten
The eastern wood; --
Then I am resting out upon my doorstep,
In nature's mood.

My heart reflects the rest and sweet rejoicing
Around, above;
And beauty is the universal language
And peace and love;
And all things seem to join in benediction
And prayers for me;
And at Night's loving heart, both earth and heaven
At rest I see.

And when the last of all my days is over --
The last page turned --
And whatsoever shall be deemed in wages
That I have earned: --
In such a mood I hope to be composing
My sweetest lay;
And then -- extend my hand to all the world
And pass away.



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