A sonnet of longing and of a glimpse of hope. July 17, 2016.
We looked imploring to the starless sky;
we worlds and worlds of darkness, seeking light,
that we might momently forget our night;
for that strange hope we held, we knew not why.
And then it came, and then our tiring eye
it overwhelmed in one bright burst of white—
one moment it eclipsed all other light,
and passed again, and left an empty sky.
And oh! for ages our best fires might burn;
for ages store in hope their dear-bought strength,
yet die unheeded, lost in one such sight!
Come, let us leave these meager things, and turn,
and where the true heart leads us; there, at length,
our tear-washed eyes may drink eternal light.
Lynn Michael Martin is a student of British literature who lives in Hagerstown, MD. He has a special interest in the sonnet and the Romantic poets. His work has appeared in the Journal of Inventive Literature and the Curator, and he is a student editor of the Hedge Apple Magazine.
I like this poem a lot; it creates a strange mystery at the same time as speaking very clearly. Very accomplished indeed.
Your iambic pentameter is spot on and not forced–very well done, Mr. Martin! Looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future!
Very heavy, indeed. Well written.
Beautiful!
A truly melodic sonnet. Beautiful to read and read again.
Oddly, very enjoyable poem, well done.