Photopoetryblog: "The Light that Follows"

Poem: "Let the Light Enter" by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Photo: "The Light that Follows" by Me

"Let the Light Enter"

The Dying Words of Goethe

"Light! more light! the shadows deepen,

        And my life is ebbing low,

Throw the windows widely open:

        Light! more light! before I go.

"Softly let the balmy sunshine

        Play around my dying bed,

E'er the dimly lighted valley

        I with lonely feet must tread.

"Light! more light! for Death is weaving

        Shadows 'round my waining sight,

And I fain would gaze upon him

        Through a stream of earthly light."

Not for greater gifts of genius;

        Not for thoughts more grandly bright,

All the dying poet whispers

        Is a prayer for light, more light.

Heeds he not the gathered laurels,

        Fading slowly from his sight;

All the poet's aspirations

        Center in that prayer for light.

Gracious Saviour, when life's day-dreams

        Melt and vanish from the sight,

May our dim and longing vision

        Then be blessed with light, more light.

"The Light that Follows"