Poems Sigourney 1834/A door opened in Heaven
A DOOR OPENED IN HEAVEN.
"I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven."
Revelations, IV. 31.
It seemed not as a dream, and yet I stood
Beside Heaven's gate. Its mighty valves were loosed,
And upward, from earth's tribulation came
A soul, whose passport, signed in Calvary's blood,
Prevailed. Around the golden threshold's verge
I saw the dazzling of celestial wings,
Thronging to welcome it. The towering form
Of an archangel bore it company
Up to God's throne. Soft on my ear their tones,
Serenely wafted by ambrosial gales,
Fell like rich music.
"Wherefore didst thou pass
Weeping along thy pilgrimage?" inquired
The sinless seraph.
"Thorns beset my path.
I sought and found not. I obtained and mourned.
I loved and lost. Ingratitude and Hate
Did whet their serpent tooth upon my fame—
My wealth took wing. I planted seeds of bliss,
And sorrow blossomed."
But the risen from earth
Faultered to mark that high archangel's glance
Bent downward with surprise, as though it asked
"Had thy felicity no deeper root,
Thou sky-born soul, for whom the Christ of God
Bowed to be crucified?"
So when I saw,
Or dreamed I saw, that even in Heaven might dwell
Reproof and penitence, I prayed to look
Ever upon that flood of light which gilds
Each morning with its mercy; and whose beams
Are brightened every moment, and to bear
God's discipline with gladness, that no tear
For trials lost, be shed beyond the grave.