Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LINES, by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD Poet's Biography First Line: Just fifty years ago to-night Last Line: And time will ever prove us so. Subject(s): Hearts; Life; Love; Time | ||||||||
Just fifty years ago to-night, When earth was mantled deep with snow, The stars beheld with tender light The fairest scene this world can show. Two graceful forms stood side by side, Two trembling hands were clasped as one, Two hearts exchanged perpetual faith, And love's sweet poem was begun. For suns may rise and suns may set, And tides may ebb and tides may flow, Love is man's greatest blessing yet, And honest wedlock makes it so. "Father" and "Mother", -- sweetest words That human lips can ever frame, We gather here as children now To find your loving hearts the same. Unchanged, unchangeable by time, Your love is boundless as the sea; The same as when our childish griefs Were hushed beside our mother's knee. Years may have given us separate homes, Friends, children, happiness and fame, But oh! to-night our greatest wealth Is that we call you still by name. God bless you both! for fifty years You've journeyed onward side by side; And still, for years to come, God grant Your paths may nevermore divide; But, just as sunset's golden glow Makes Alpine snows divinely fair, So may the setting sun of life Rest lightly on your silvered hair! Yes, suns may rise and suns may set, And tides may ebb and tides may flow, We are your loving children yet, And time will ever prove us so. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEVEN EYES: FINAL SECTION by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: COME OCTOBER by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: HOME by LYN HEJINIAN THE FATALIST: TIME IS FILLED by LYN HEJINIAN SLOWLY: I FREQUENTLY SLOWLY WISH by LYN HEJINIAN ALL THE DIFFICULT HOURS AND MINUTES by JANE HIRSHFIELD A DAY IS VAST by JANE HIRSHFIELD FROM THIS HEIGHT by TONY HOAGLAND A MAY MONODY by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD |
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