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Poetry Archives

A continuing selection of classic and contemporary poems.

A Prayer

Archibald Lampman

Oh earth, oh dewy mother, breathe on us
  Something of all thy beauty and thy might,
  Us that are part of day, but most of night,
Not strong like thee, but ever burdened thus
With glooms and cares, things pale and dolorous
  Whose gladest moments are not wholly bright;
  Something of all they freshness and thy light,
Oh earth, oh mighty mother, breathe on us.

Oh mother, who wast long before our day,
  And after us full many an age shalt be.
Careworn and blind, we wander from thy way:
  Born of thy strength, yet weak and halt are we
Grant us, oh mother, therefore, us who pray,
  Some little of thy light and majesty.
Online text © 1998-2008 Poetry X. All rights reserved.
From Among the Millet and Other Poems
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