Poem A Day

Classic poem

Father Gerard Hopkins, S. J.

by Joyce Kilmer

Why didst thou carve thy speech laboriously,

And match and blend thy words with curious art?

For Song, one saith, is but a human heart

Speaking aloud, undisciplined and free.

Nay, God be praised, Who fixed thy task for thee!

Austere, ecstatic craftsman, set apart

From all who traffic in Apollo's mart,

On thy phrased paten shall the Splendour be!

Now, carelessly we throw a rhyme to God,

Singing His praise when other songs are done.

But thou, who knewest paths Teresa trod,

Losing thyself, what is it thou hast won?

O bleeding feet, with peace and glory shod!

O happy moth, that flew into the Sun!

naturelovebeautyfaithidentitychoice
Public domain/Source

About this poem

First line
Why didst thou carve thy speech laboriously,
Poet
Joyce Kilmer
Themes
nature, love, beauty, faith

Poem A Day

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