Katharine Lee Bates

Poems Books Biography Comments Images

The Purple Thread Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AB CDDCCDDCEFGFEG HIIHHIIHGJGJGG

'The priests distributed various coloured silken threads to weave for the veil of the sanctuary and it fell to Mary's lot to weave purple 'A
The Book of the Bee ch XXXIVB
I-
THE chosen maidens Weavers of the VeilC
Kneeling in crescent from the High Priest tookD
Their wisps of silk in slender hands that shookD
Lifting the colors to their lips rose paleC
With holy passion colors like the frailC
Spring flowers of Carmel blue as that glad lookD
Of dancing iris scarlet as a nookD
Of wild anemones or gold as sailC
Seen from its summit 'neath the Syrian moonE
But Mary caught her breath in one swift sobF
Of pain uncomprehended ere it fledG
Leaving her heart with some strange fear a throbF
For the wise priest as one conferring boonE
Had meted out to her a purple threadG
II-
O mothers of the race ye bless d onesH
Who weave with cherubim the veil beforeI
The Holy Place of God the mystic doorI
Of life proud mothers of belov d sonsH
To day you send them forth to front the gunsH
Waving your boys farewell with smiles that pourI
Strength into their young souls Your prayers imploreI
The Mercy Seat your love an angel runsH
Before them with wild shielding arms outspreadG
O Weavers of the Veil however variesJ
The silk assigned exceeding great rewardG
Is yours for you O you most sacred MariesJ
To whom is given grief's royal purple threadG
Make beautiful the temple of the LordG

Katharine Lee Bates



Rate:
(1)



Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme

Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
<< The Presence Chamber Poem What Is Christ? Poem>>

Write your comment about The Purple Thread poem by Katharine Lee Bates

 

Recent Interactions*

This poem was read 3 times,

This poem was added to the favorite list by 0 members,

This poem was voted by 0 members.

(* Interactions only in the last 7 days)

New Poems

Popular Poets