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This blog is filled with original poetry. Feel free to check out my other blogs at whatsinaword.com and timetogetupclub.com.

The Chimney sweeper - William Blake

January 8th 2008 22:42

Lighthouse poetry
Lighthouse



There's a little bit of history within this one.

And of course the sorrow and the pain, then freedom and light.

Poetry of William Blake


THE CHIMNEY-SWEEPER


When my mother died I was very young,
And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Could scarcely cry 'Weep! weep! weep! weep!'
So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep.

There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head,
That curled like a lamb's back, was shaved; so I said,
'Hush, Tom! never mind it, for, when your head's bare,
You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair.'

And so he was quiet, and that very night,
As Tom was a-sleeping, he had such a sight! -
That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, and Jack,
Were all of them locked up in coffins of black.

And by came an angel, who had a bright key,
And he opened the coffins, and set them all free;
Then down a green plain, leaping, laughing, they run
And wash in a river, and shine in the sun.

Then naked and white, all their bags left behind,
They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind:
And the angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,
He'd have God for his father, and never want joy.

And so Tom awoke, and we rose in the dark,
And got with our bags and our brushes to work.

Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm:
So, if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.




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Comments
3 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Michaelie

January 9th 2008 08:19
I like this poem, though my absolute favourite of Blake's - and maybe of anyone's - is Auguries of Innocence. It's divine, yet so utterly simple.

Michaelie

Comment by katyzzz

January 9th 2008 09:58
I'm glad you called in Michaelie, come any time, no need to leave comments always, there are just times when we really do need some poetry, one at a time and with variety I think is just lovely.

Comment by tlcorbin

January 10th 2008 00:48
A powerful imagery captured in verse katyzzz, very nice. Raven

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