Classic and Contemporary Poetry
STANZAS - THE TOMB, by ELIZA COOK Poet's Biography First Line: Few years ago I shunned the tomb Last Line: To lead me to the loved again. Subject(s): Graves; Tombs; Tombstones | ||||||||
Few years ago I shunned the tomb, And turned me from a tablet-stone; I shivered in the churchyard gloom, And sickened at a bleaching bone. Then all were round my warm young heart -- The kindred tie -- the cherished form; I knew not what it was to part, And give them to the dust and worm. But soon I lost the gems of earth, I saw the dearest cold in death, And sorrow changed my joyous mirth To searing drops and sobbing breath. I stood by graves all dark and deep, Pale, voiceless, wrapt in mute despair; I left my soul's adored to sleep In stirless, dreamless slumber, there. And now I steal at night to see The soft, clear moonbeams playing o'er Their hallowed beds, and long to be Where all most prized have gone before. Now I can calmly gaze around On osiered heaps, with yearning eye, And murmur o'er the glassy mound -- "'Tis a glorious privilege to die." The grave hath lost its conquering might, And death its dreaded sting of pain, Since they but ope the path of light To lead me to the loved again. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL |
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