NOT hers the hungry gaze of souls unwed; Not hers the cold and narrow barren bed: Those virgin shoulders yet have pillowed men Who through her ministry grew strong again. She knows embraces both by night and day Beyond all price of intermingling clay. Man's weary cares upon her knees find rest, His secret hopes are hanging at her breast; Therefore if long before the cross she bend, 'Tis not that loneliness may find a friend, But that she takes so many with her there, And needs must wait till each have said his prayer. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO SOME LADIES [ON RECEIVING A CURIOUS SHELL] by JOHN KEATS TO THE BOY by ELIZABETH CLEMENTINE DODGE KINNEY THE BELEAGUERED CITY by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW FIREFLY; A SONG by ELIZABETH MADOX ROBERTS FACADE: 17. DARK SONG by EDITH SITWELL FAST ANCHOR'D ETERNAL O LOVE! by WALT WHITMAN |