Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HEAVEN, by KATHARINE HAVILAND TAYLOR First Line: I am too little for a grand eternity Last Line: Too short yesterday! Subject(s): Future Life; Retribution; Eternity; After Life | ||||||||
I am too little for a grand eternity. I want in my tomorrow, things I see And things I've seen -- that faded all too soon. Instead of angels' voices, I would hear a spoon Beating upon a table; seeing a laughing face Warm glowing, living -- without please God -- Death's cold, set trace. Instead of golden streets, I'd stand within A doorway I know well. Is this a sin To want my kitchen door, sagging of stoop; To want instead of Heaven's Host, a group Of little folk, all hot and tired from play? If so, please pardon me, Dear God, but Short was yesterday! I am too earth-bound for a grand eternity. Sometimes I almost laugh at plans I make... I see myself in Heaven wearing apron, checked; I see the sky above the barn, cloud flecked; The chickens strutting proudly in the yard, Then -- little folks around me; hungry, tired -- How their small careless touches My heart fired. Again at Heaven's bedtime I would see All that made Heaven pale by earth Turning to me. Small buttons, lisping prayers, the big frog's cry I want those -- more world things Past stars and sky. I want to end my days beyond as I did here, Tired from hard work for all I held most dear; In Heaven's night to bend above small beds, To straighten covers, look on tangled heads -- A foolish woman, I, perhaps but mine I would the way I traveled, loved and lost in a Too short yesterday! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IKON: THE HARROWING OF HELL by DENISE LEVERTOV LEEK STREET by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR UNABLE TO FIND by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS 3 by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS: 1 by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS: 2 by HAYDEN CARRUTH WRITING IN THE AFTERLIFE by BILLY COLLINS ASHURNATSIRPAL III by CARL SANDBURG |
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