A Child's Wish

Abram Joseph Ryan 1839 (Hagerstown) – 1886 (Louisville)



Before an Altar
  
  
  
I wish I were the little key
That locks Love's Captive in,
And lets Him out to go and free
A sinful heart from sin.
  
I wish I were the little bell
That tinkles for the Host,
When God comes down each day to dwell
With hearts He loves the most.
  
I wish I were the chalice fair,
That holds the Blood of Love,
When every flash lights holy prayer
Upon its way above.
  
I wish I were the little flower
So near the Host's sweet face,
Or like the light that half an hour
Burns on the shrine of grace.
  
I wish I were the altar where,
As on His mother's breast,
Christ nestles, like a child, fore'er
In Eucharistic rest.
  
But, oh! my God, I wish the most
That my poor heart may be
A home all holy for each Host
That comes in love to me.
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Submitted on August 03, 2020

Modified on March 24, 2023

49 sec read
55

Quick analysis:

Scheme A BCBC DEDE FGFG AHAH FIAI EBEB
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 736
Words 160
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 1, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Abram Joseph Ryan

Abram Joseph Ryan CM was an American poet an active proponent of the Confederate States of America and a Roman Catholic priest He has been called the Poet-Priest of the Confederacy more…

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