Hear, O Israel! my people -- to thy goodly tents do I return with unstained hands. Like as the harts for the water-brooks, in thirst, do pant and bray, so pants and cries my longing soul for the house of Jacob. My tears have unto me been meat, both in night and day: And the crimson and fine linen moulders in the dark tents of the enemy. With bare feet and covered head do I return to thee, O Israel! With sackcloth have I bound the hem of my garments. With olive leaves have I trimmed the border of my bosom. The breaking waves did pass o'er me; yea, were mighty in their strength -- Strength of the foe's oppression. My soul was cast out upon the waters of Sin: but it has come back to me. My transgressions have vanished like a cloud. The curse of Balaam hath turned to a blessing; And the doors of Jacob turn not on their hinges against me. Rise up, O Israel! for it is I who passed through the fiery furnace seven times, and come forth unscathed, to redeem thee from slavery, O my nation! and lead thee back to God. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ENVOYS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON GOOD-BYE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON POETRY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON READING WHITMAN IN A TOILET STALL by TIMOTHY LIU GIANT RED WOMAN by CLARENCE MAJOR DOMESDAY BOOK: CHARLES WARREN, THE SHERIFF by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |