Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THERE'S A WEDDING IN THE ORCHARD, by MARY ELIZABETH MAPES DODGE Poet's Biography First Line: There's a wedding in the orchard, dear Last Line: And aisles of flowery light. Subject(s): Marriage; Orchards; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
There's a wedding in the orchard, dear, I know it by the flowers; They're wreathed on every bough and branch, And falling down in showers. The air is in a mist, I think, And scarce knows which to be -- Whether all fragrance, clinging close; Or bird-song, wild and free. And countless wedding-jewels shine, And golden gifts of grace; I never saw such wealth of sun In any shady place. It seemed I heard the fluttering robes Of maidens clad in white, The clasping of a thousand hands In tenderest delight; While whispers ran among the boughs Of promises and praise; And playful, loving messages Sped through the leaf-lit ways. Then were there swayings to and fro; The weeds a-tiptoe rose; And sang the breeze a sudden song That sank to sudden close; And just beyond the wreathed aisles That end against the blue, The raiment of the wedding-choir And priest came shining through. And though I saw no wedding-guest, Nor groom, nor gentle bride, I know that holy things were asked, And holy love replied. Soon will the lengthening shadows move Unwillingly away, Like friends who linger with adieux Yet are not bid to stay. I follow where the blue-bird leads, And hear its soft "good-night," Still thinking of the wedding-scene And aisles of flowery light. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV EMERSON by MARY ELIZABETH MAPES DODGE |
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