Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, the Past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem-star may lead me
To the sight of Him Who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy;
Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and alway:
Now begin, on Christmas day.
The poet's heart shines through this prayerful verse and G.M. Hopkins was in his short life a master of the arresting phrase..... being a priest he saw the world in terms of creative conflict at times with his God. This piece is a good example of his strength as a writer.
I like this! Does anyone know anything about it? It feels to me more like a song, except its too short.
well, I believe it is a beautiful prayer, rather than a song...Although it's short it tells so much...
Very tight poem, expressing an intense devotion humbly yet eloquently (and it's not easy to use thou art and thou wert and still sound natural) . Hopkins is a master, and this poem is delightful to contemplate.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Catholic theology expressed with a poet’s special gifts, but material interest only to Catholics.