Poems (Sharpless)/Midnight
For works with similar titles, see Midnight.
MIDNIGHT
There's not a star in all the sky,
Only a mass of stormy cloud;
And through the naked shuddering trees
The wind wails loud.
Only a mass of stormy cloud;
And through the naked shuddering trees
The wind wails loud.
Aroused from sleep by vague unrest,
In vain I seek a sound, a sight
Of hope, or sympathy to cheer
The lonely night.
In vain I seek a sound, a sight
Of hope, or sympathy to cheer
The lonely night.
No footstep in the silent street,
All still except the sob and moan
Of the wild wind, as it and I
Watch here alone.
All still except the sob and moan
Of the wild wind, as it and I
Watch here alone.
A heavy sorrow weighs my heart,
With anguish far too deep for tears;
Thinking of sad Humanity
Thro' the long years.
With anguish far too deep for tears;
Thinking of sad Humanity
Thro' the long years.
Death is so solemn, Life so sad,
And Poverty and Sin so strong;
And as in shadows, all the world
Seems steeped in wrong.
And Poverty and Sin so strong;
And as in shadows, all the world
Seems steeped in wrong.
Was it an angel's whisper clear
That thrilled along that blast's fierce close,
That stilled my heart, and softly said,
"The Father knows "?
That thrilled along that blast's fierce close,
That stilled my heart, and softly said,
"The Father knows "?
No storm shall rage but as He will;
No tiniest bird unnoted fall;
No heart breathe an unheeded sigh;—
He sees them all.
No tiniest bird unnoted fall;
No heart breathe an unheeded sigh;—
He sees them all.
Oh! blessed Lord of Life and Death!
This suffering and perplexing world
Is shielded by supremest Love
Around it furled.
This suffering and perplexing world
Is shielded by supremest Love
Around it furled.
And He who watched o'er Israel
Shall slumber not, nor cease to keep
One single soul. So calmed and hushed
Again I sleep.
Shall slumber not, nor cease to keep
One single soul. So calmed and hushed
Again I sleep.