Kwannon Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AB CDEEDCFF GHGHIIJKJK LMNNLM OOPPQQRS TUTUVW LTXTLX| Kwannon the Japanese goddess of mercy is represented with many hands typifying generosity and kindness In one of these hands she is supposed | A |
| to hold an axe wherewith she severs the threads of human lives | B |
| - | |
| - | |
| I am the ancient one the many handed | C |
| The merciful am I | D |
| Here where the black pine bends above the sea | E |
| They bring their gifts to me | E |
| Spoil of the foreshore where the corals lie | D |
| Fishes of ivory and amber stranded | C |
| And carven beads | F |
| Green as the fretted fringes of the weeds | F |
| - | |
| Age after age I watch the long sails pass | G |
| Age after age I see them come once more | H |
| Home as the grey winged pigeon to the grass | G |
| The white crane to the shore | H |
| Goddess am I of heaven and this small town | I |
| Above the beaches brown | I |
| And here the children bring me cakes and flowers | J |
| And all the strange sea creatures that they find | K |
| For She they say the Merciful is ours | J |
| And she they say is kind | K |
| - | |
| Camphor and wave worn sandalwood for burning | L |
| They bring to me alone | M |
| Shells that are veined like irises and those | N |
| Curved like the clear bright petals of a rose | N |
| Wherefore an hundredfold again returning | L |
| I render them their own | M |
| - | |
| Full freighted nets that flash among the foam | O |
| Laughter and love and gentle eyes at home | O |
| Cool of the night and the soft air that swells | P |
| My silver temple bells | P |
| Winds of the spring the little flowers that shine | Q |
| Where the young barley slopes to meet the pine | Q |
| Gold of the charlock guerdon of the rain | R |
| I give to them again | S |
| - | |
| Yet though the fishing boats return full laden | T |
| Out of the broad blue east | U |
| Under the brown roofs pain is their handmaiden | T |
| And mourning is their feast | U |
| Yea though my many hands are raised to bless | V |
| I am not strong to give them happiness | W |
| - | |
| Sorrow comes swiftly as the swallow flying | L |
| O little lives that are so quickly done | T |
| Peace is my raiment mercy is my breath | X |
| I am the gentle one | T |
| When they are tired of sorrow and of sighing | L |
| I give them death | X |
Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthall
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