Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE THUNDER STORM, by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD Poet's Biography First Line: The sabbath morn came sweetly on Last Line: In that sad evening hour. Subject(s): Death; Lightning; Sabbath; Dead, The; Lightning Rods; Sunday | ||||||||
THE Sabbath morn came sweetly on, The sunbeams mildly shone upon Each rock, and tree, and flower; And floating on the southern gale, The clouds seemed gloriously to sail Along the Heavens, as if to hail That calm and holy hour. By winding path and alley green, The lightsome and the young were seen To join the gathering throng; While with slow step and solemn look, The elders of the village took Their way, and as with age they shook, Went reverently along. They meet -- the "sweet psalm-tune" they raise; They join their grateful hearts, and praise The Maker they adore. They met in holy joy; but they Grieve now, who saw His wrath that day, And sadly went they all away, And better than before. There was one cloud, that overcast The valley and the hill, nor past Like other mists away: It moved not round the circling sweep Of the clear sky, but dark and deep, Came down upon them sheer and steep, Where they had met to pray. One single flash! it rent the spire, And pointed downward all its fire-- What could its power withstay? There was an aged head; and there Was beauty in its youth, and fair Floated the young locks of her hair-- It called them both away! The Sabbath eve went sweetly down; Its parting sunbeams mildly shone Upon each rock and flower; And gently blew the southern gale, -- But on it was a voice of wail, And eyes were wet, and cheeks were pale, In that sad evening hour. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DAT GAL O' MINE by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SUNDAY: NEW GUINEA by KARL SHAPIRO SABBATHS: 2001 by WENDELL BERRY SUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAYSUNDAY by PAUL BLACKBURN THE SABBATH OF THE SOUL by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD TO A FRIEND by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |
|