Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ANSWER by ISABEL FISKE CONANT

First Line: I DEMANDED BEAUTY, TASKING
Last Line: GUARD YOUR WORDS!
Subject(s): BEAUTY; PRAYER; WELLESLEY COLLEGE;

I DEMANDED beauty, tasking
Heaven with my asking:
I dared command
Lords of a greater land.
I, who could petition so,
How little did I know!
Fast on beauty's name
Came this blinding flame . . .
Such prayers are always granted, --
But beauty was not what I wanted;
(@3I, that asked to sing,
Sought not this shattering thing@1 . . .)
Not for searing fire
Was my small desire;
You that pray to unknown lords,
Guard your words!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net