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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FRAY JUNIPERO, by JOHN STEVEN MCGROARTY Poet's Biography First Line: A fallen roof beside a tawny trail Last Line: At peace among the ancient tribes he sleeps. Subject(s): Serra, Junipero (1713-1784) | |||
A fallen roof beside a tawny trail, A moldered cross upon a haunted hill, And, out at sea, ghost of a ragged sail -- These hold fond memories of him still. Cities are builded where his sandals trod, Yet not forgotten in the din and greed Is he who won so fair a land for God, Whose faith the heathen from the darkness freed. A thousand vales with deathless bloom aflame, A thousand mountain peaks white-capped with snow, Still love to speak the gray Franciscan's name Who came to California -- long ago. The newer race that destiny has thrust Where he with dauntless tread was first to fare, Lifts up his ruined altars from the dust, And sets again the lost lights glowing there. He won for God the fairest land of all -- And now, where bright a well-loved river leaps, And lark and linnet to the sunrise call, At peace among the ancient tribes he sleeps. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAST SERMON OF FRAY JUNIPERO SERRA by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL BY THE CROSS OF MONTEREY by RICHARD EDWARD WHITE JUST CALIFORNIA by JOHN STEVEN MCGROARTY THE GREEN WAY TO MONTEREY by JOHN STEVEN MCGROARTY THE KING'S HIGHWAY; EL CAMINO REAL by JOHN STEVEN MCGROARTY SISTER MARIA CELESTE, GALILEO'S DAUGHTER, WRITES TO FRIEND by MADELINE DEFREES BEARING LEAVES AGAIN by DAVID IGNATOW THE POWER OF ART by GEORGE SANTAYANA ST. FRANCIS EINSTEIN OF THE DAFFODILS (FIRST VERSION) by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS |
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