So faith is strong Only when we are strong, shrinks when we shrink. It comes when music stirs us, and the chords, Moving on some grand climax, shakes our souls With influx new that makes new energies. It comes in swellings of the heart and tears That rise at noble and at gentle deeds. It comes in moments of heroic love, Unjealous joy in joy not made for us; In conscious triumph of the good within, Making us worship goodness that rebukes. Even our failures are a prophecy, Even our yearnings and our bitter tears After that fair and true we cannot grasp. Presentiment of better things on earth Sweeps in with every force that stirs our souls To admiration, self-renouncing love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VERY EARLY SPRING by KATHERINE MANSFIELD MARRIAGE by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER by JOHN KEATS EMBLEMS OF LOVE: CUPID TO CHLOE WEEPING; A SONNET by PHILIP AYRES MARCH: A BULL ON THE HORIZON by A. G. BECKMANN WHAT SAID THE LITTLE ADMIRAL? by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |