Friday, March 30, 2007

Hymn to the Night


I HEARD the trailing garments of the NightSweep through her marble halls!

I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light From the celestial walls!

I felt her presence, by its spell of might, Stoop o'er me from above;

The calm, majestic presence of the Night, As of the one I love.

I heard the sounds of sorrow and delight, The manifold, soft chimes,

That fill the haunted chambers of the Night, Like some old poet's rhymes.

From the cool cisterns of the midnight airMy spirit drank repose;

The fountain of perpetual peace flows there,

--From those deep cisterns flows.O holy Night! from thee I learn to bear

What man has borne before!

Thou layest thy finger on the lips of Care,

And thy complain no more.

Peace! Peace! Orestes-like I breathe this prayer!

Descend, with broad-winged flight,

The welcome, the thrice-prayed for, the most fair,

The best-beloved Night!


Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

32 comments:

Steve said...

Good to see you again Kuan. Dig the music video.. poem is cool too. Going to read it again later.

trinitystar said...

I loved this ... kinda of shakespearian. :o)

The Muse said...

This is beautiful! I was immediately enveloped in a sweeping tale just by the first two lines or so. Thank you for sharing this today :)

Be Well,
Muse

Mystic Rose said...

Hymn to the Night..enchanting!!

a good choice, kuan!

Janice Thomson said...

I remember having to learn this at school Kaun...it has always been a favorite of mine. Good choice!

Greenwoman said...

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing this peice. Lovely photo choice for this post too. Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Peace be upon us all
to send our worries away
and bring back the laughter from hearts.

nice poem .. thank you for sharing

AVIANA said...

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome! Thanks for stopping by my little blog. It's always good to meet people in this blog world. I love, love, love the poetry! See how i like to say things in 3s. :) Can you tell me how you added the music to your blog?! I've been dying to do this but couldn't figure it out.

anyhow, welcome. Keep up with the poetry. I love the creative people out there. It makes the world happier. :) Come by more often! I'll come back again. Keep being inspired Kuan!!!
Lisa

Paul said...

That does capture a certain feeling for the night and what it can represent. I've really never read much of this author, sounds worthwhile.

Anonymous said...

very beautiful poem - i love anything about night.....

deepsat said...

lovely poem!!!

IntI said...

very nice, loved it :)

Dawn said...

Good to see u after a long time :)
nice poetry n way of expression...
keep up the good work :)
Cheers

Keshi said...

Hauntingly beautiful!

Keshi.

Noushu says: said...

thanx for ur visit.

I am also a side sleeper.

abcd said...

I love this, Kuan.

have a nice weekend.

divya said...

beautiful....

Neer said...

i always did love reading this guy!!

EXSENO said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely poem.

Diane Dehler said...

I have never read this poem before; such a pleasure. Thanks for posting it.

Lisa Johnson said...

This is beautiful! I thought it was Edgar Allen Poe at first. I can see Longfellow too. Very rhythmic and enchanting. This makes me want to go and read some more of his poems!

Em Meyer said...

Another great post Kuan. Really beautiful. And now it's time to go to sleep. Nite nite :-)

Tiffanie said...

I love the song you have playing, what is it called?

Am In Trance said...

Hey.. That was so Profound..
Oh.. Am Lost..
Gr8 Post..

Margie said...

Hi Kuan
It's been a while since I've been here...hope all is wonderful in your life.
And, as always thank you for your visits...
I do love this poem...one of my favorites!

Take care!

Margie
P.S I'm taking an extended break from blogging, but I'll be popping in for a visit now and then.

Diksha Neel said...

Hi Kuan, thanks for posting this beautiful poem!

AnalĂ­a said...

Beautiful poem Kuan. It was a pleasure to come here.
take care
Ani (Uruguay)

Joy said...

Such a wonderful poem, thank you so much for sharing this :)

Neer said...

where are you, kuan??

Janice Thomson said...

Hoping all is well with you Kaun.

Sam!! said...

Beautiful words...

Thnx for sharing.

Hope u r fine there.

Takecare

SeePearrl said...

Peace! Peace! Peace!

Amen! Let Peace prevail everywhere! :)