Poems (Menie Parkes 1867)

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] A Vindication. So thou hast traced the glorious thought, And roved in poet-land; And, having done so, call’st it naught, In accents cold and bland. Stand back, cold man, who darest to scan The … [Read more...] about A Vindication [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Cloud Conjuring. The sun had lit his dying flame, More Phoenix-like to pass away; Triumphant o’er his bier had swept Fair Luna’s lovelier sway. One cloud, on which the sun had thrown Its last deep … [Read more...] about Cloud Conjuring [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] You Passed Me By. You passed me by, you passed me by, A cold glance in your careless eye; My smile was bright while in your sight; — I hid my face and prayed to die! But cruel Death clogged not my … [Read more...] about You Passed Me By [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] The Eye of God. “Angels watch us from Heaven; lost spirits watch us from torment; Christian friends watch us on earth; — but what are all these to the everlasting scrutiny of the great calm eye of … [Read more...] about The Eye of God [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Night and Morning. Greyly dawned the morning light, — Frowned, and drove the Lady Moon Back from the coming Sun-God’s sight — Then burst in glorious bloom Around his path, and marshalled him Across … [Read more...] about Night and Morning [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] The Maiden’s Choice. Helpless, weary, sorrow-laden, All my senses steeped in woe, Moodily I sought the maiden — Would she — could she — let me go? Told I then, in low-toned cadence, How I bowed … [Read more...] about The Maiden’s Choice [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] The Whirl of Life. In all this weary whirl of life; When waves of ruthless sorrow flow, When breathlessly I meet the strife And brace me for a conquering blow; When, looming down, The clouds shall … [Read more...] about The Whirl of Life [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] What the World Was Made For. This world was made for loving, And not for endless woe! If grief you still are proving, Why force your pleasures go? Oh, take them both together, And calmly let them … [Read more...] about What the World Was Made For [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Strange Contrarieties. Oh, when some sudden gladness rushes In torrents o’er our spirits’ calm, And God’s smiles beam in flashing gushes, And perfect bliss gives life a charm; Then, when sweet joy … [Read more...] about Strange Contrarieties [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Cast Adrift. A little lonely boat On the wild waves afloat; Never a sail in sight, Day darkening into night, Stormy and wild! So tossed my soul adrift, High on sin’s waves uplift; Vainly I sought … [Read more...] about Cast Adrift [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Three Dreams. I have dreamed of Fame, and the dream was fair: I have pictured my forehead crowned With the laurel-praise of earth’s noblest and rare, Who the honored of men may be found, And I felt … [Read more...] about Three Dreams [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] A Storm. All Nature seemeth mad to-night! The thunders roar and groan; Tremendous in their fearful might, The winds they shriek and groan; The lightnings glare with frantic speed, And, hissing, sweep … [Read more...] about A Storm [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Feed My Sheep. Awake from your indolent slumbers, And your breath to a life-pulse quicken; Awake, if ye’ve hearts in your bosoms, Or souls that with woe may be stricken: Awake! for God’s trumpet is … [Read more...] about Feed My Sheep [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] You’d Love Me Then. And if my printed skirts were silken, My printed bodice velvet smooth, And fastened with a diamond sparkling, You’d love me then — you’d love, in sooth! And if my auburn curls … [Read more...] about You’d Love Me Then [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] To Live or Die. To live! I ask not a boon so poor! What is this thing ye call Life, Where nothing is perfect, where nothing is pure, Nought certain but trouble and strife; Where the soul may be sad … [Read more...] about To Live or Die [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] The Maiden’s Death-Song. Death stood at the maiden’s bedside, And listened the while she sang — “The sunniest hope of my being I render, without a pang; I yield up the hope of dying, And turn me again … [Read more...] about The Maiden’s Death-Song [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] My Bridal Robes. My bridal robes are smooth and straight: Untrimmed by fringe or flounce or plait, They flow from neck to bare bleak feet, Cool, soft, and sweet — oh, passing sweet! — Too holy thought … [Read more...] about My Bridal Robes [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Satisfied. She moaned in sorrow wearily, “O Life, stern Life, thou art too long; Thy hours pass slow and drearily, Thy scorching sunglare is too strong; Thy moonbeams gleam too faint and pale, Thy … [Read more...] about Satisfied [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] There Shall Be No More Tears Weep not for the dying flower! Faded hues and bruiséd form; ’Twas so fair, yet one short hour Levelled it before the storm. Weep not for the dying day! Fleeting hours … [Read more...] about There Shall Be No More Tears [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] A Woman’s Romance. Bright was their meeting hour, Sparkling with smiles all fair; She like a budding flower, He some rich bird of air. Soft flew the passing hours, Fleet-footed with her heart’s … [Read more...] about A Woman’s Romance [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] How My Love Died. The budding of a new-born flower, The birth-page of a holy book, The dawn of some untainted hour, His first, fond, loving look. The beaming of some fair, faint star, That draws the … [Read more...] about How My Love Died [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] The Evening Hour. What is’t thou meanest, solemn hour Of soft composure? what thy power That seals our lips almost from breath, And bids us couple night with death? Now God folds down His silence … [Read more...] about The Evening Hour [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Love’s Images. Like to a pale star on the front Of a storm-clouded heaven, Thou art to me, beloved! As beautiful, as distant far, From my impassioned grasp, Thy pale-browed panoply, beloved! I’ll … [Read more...] about Love’s Images [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867).] Judas Iscariot. Away! away! away! Oh, hide me, rocks! Yet no, for where I am there is myself, My sternest torturer; and falling stones Would only crush me closer into me, And force a nearer … [Read more...] about Judas Iscariot [poem by Menie Parkes]

[Editor: This poem by Menie Parkes was published in Poems (1867). This poem is written from a man’s viewpoint.] A Man’s Heart. I bear no malice, child: I would not lay One pin-point’s prick of all my pain On your young bliss; no, not if that would stay The anguish I … [Read more...] about A Man’s Heart [poem by Menie Parkes]