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Poem by Dinah Maria Craik After Sunset REST--rest--four little letters, one short word, Enfolding an infinitude of bliss-- Rest is upon the earth. The heavy clouds Hang poised in silent ether, motionless, Seeking nor sun nor breeze. No restless star Thrills the sky's gray-robed breast with pulsing rays, The night's heart has throbbed out. No grass blade stirs, No downy-wingèd moth comes flittering by Caught by the light--Thank God, there is no light, No open-eyed, loud-voiced, quick motioned light, Nothing but gloom and rest. A row of trees Along the hill horizon, westward, stands All black and still, as if it were a rank Of fallen angels, melancholy met Before the amber gate of Paradise-- The bright shut gate, whose everlasting smile Deadens despair to calm. O, better far Better than bliss is rest! If suddenly Those burnished doors of molten gold, steel-barred, Which the sun closed behind him as he went Into his bridal chamber--were to burst Asunder with a clang, and in a breath God's mysteries were revealed--His kingdom came-- The multitudes of heavenly messengers Hastening throughout all space--the thunder quire Of praise--the obedient lightnings' lambent gleam Around the unseen Throne--should I not sink Crushed by the weight of such beatitudes, Crying, 'Rest, only rest, thou merciful God! Hide me within the hollow of Thy hand In some dark corner of the universe, Thy bright, full, busy universe, that blinds, Deafens, and tortures--Give me only rest!' O for a soul-sleep, long and deep and still! To lie down quiet after the weary day, Dropping all pleasant flowers from the numbed hands, Bidding good-night to all companions dear, Drawing the curtains on this darkened world, Closing the eyes, and with a patient sigh Murmuring 'Our Father'--fall on sleep, till dawn! Dinah Maria Craik Dinah Maria Craik's other poems: Poems of the other poets with the same name: 1361 Views |
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