HOW rapt the sleeping stillness of the night— Incomparably close and vast...One might Hear the tense silence in the little street Reaching to heaven, where it swells and breaks Into moon-music and star-song that makes My senses bend and sway, as waving wheat Trembles before the wind's majestic feet; Trembles with happy fear and numb delight. How sharp the silence...like a sword to smite Brittle security and iron aches; A soundless and imperative blast that wakes Undreamed of powers, terrible and sweet... While God comes down, roused to the jubilant fight; Roused from the sleepy comfort of His seat. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SESTINA: 1. OF THE LADY PIETRA DEGLI SCROVIGNI by DANTE ALIGHIERI THE LAY OF THE LABOURER by THOMAS HOOD AT FREDERICKSBURG [DECEMBER 13, 1862] by JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY A PRAYER by EDWARD ROWLAND SILL THE SOBBING OF THE BELLS (MIDNIGHT, SEPT. 19-20, 1881) by WALT WHITMAN WE'LL GO NO MORE THE WOODLAND WAY by THEODORE FAULLAIN DE BANVILLE |