I Saw the Sun
at Midnight
by
Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)
I saw the Sun at midnight,
rising red,
Deep-hued yet glowing, heavy
with the stain
Of blood-compassion, and
I saw It gain
Swiftly in size and growing
till It spread
Over the stars; the heavens
bowed their head
As from Its heart slow dripped
a crimson rain,
Then a great tremor shook
It, as of pain--
The night fell, moaning,
as It hung there dead.
O Sun, O Christ, O bleeding
Heart of flame!
Thou givest Thine agony
as our life's worth,
And makest it infinite,
lest we have dearth
Of rights wherewith to call
upon Thy Name;
Thou pawnest Heaven as a
pledge for Earth
And for our glory sufferest
all shame.
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Ireland Landscape,
pastel by Jamie Treadwell
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