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9.3
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(64
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Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
Anonymous Submission
James Henry Leigh Hunt
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Read poems about / on: angel, peace, dream, night, light, god, love
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James Henry Leigh Hunt
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Pat Keller Iii
(12/2/2008 3:40:00 PM) |
Got up this morning and remembered bits of this poem that I had memorized and recited in junior high school in 1967. What was so special about this poem was that fact that I had gone to bed the night before not remembering that I was to memorize and recite a poem that morning in English class. I selected this poem and memorized it during breakfast.... whew will never forget this poem.
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Flora O'barr
(11/19/2008 3:09:00 PM) |
My grandmother loved poetry and she memorized those that particularly pleased her. She was 104 when she passed away in 1983. My sister and I vividly remember her repeating this poem. We learned Abou Ben Adhem in Junior high school and since it was already a favorite of hours, remembered most of the words-but not all. My sister is 82 and I have just celebrated my 75 birthday. Both of us have grandchildren, who have never been blessed with Leigh Hunt's poetry. Til Now. Thanks for the memory.
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Michelle Charlton
(9/13/2008 10:24:00 AM) |
My mum who is 81 came to visit today. I was telling her about my son having to ask an older person what they were taught when they were at school in RE for his homework and my mother recited this poem. She said that she remembered this because her teacher would not let the pupils leave the classroom until they could recite this poem word for word. To this day she can remember it. It brings her fond memories of her teacher Miss. Gillespie who she says was a wonderful person. I was astonished to log on the computer and see so many comments from people of my mother's age about this poem. I am going to print the comments and let her see them. I am sure they will be of great interest to her.
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Mike Fine
(6/9/2008 5:25:00 PM) |
Read this poem 63 years ago and never forgot it. Brings tears to my eyes just looking at it.And I am not a religious person, Just feel that it was written about me...
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Purdy Reese
(4/12/2008 5:01:00 PM) |
I haven't heard that poem recited in over 50 years. I always thought of that poem as the description of the golden rule; that is, ..To love your neighbor as yourself, and to love God above all others.
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John Hayes
(2/24/2008 5:33:00 PM) |
I learned this poem when I was a wee boy at my junior school in St. Helens Lancashire..........over 40 years ago. it has stayed in the recess of my memory untill I thought about it today abou I believe means 'farther of ' and adam is the name God gave to his creation man and woman jointly, genesis 1 he called them Adam and incidently they were made in the image of God i.e God is man and woman jointly not a man nor a woman but eqally both..........and of course adams tribe is manwomankind the...deep dream of peace is death never intended by God we were created to fill an ever increasing and growing universe the bible says so and if you want my complete thoughts on this you will need to e mail me i will show you from the bible how Gods first and delayed plan spells it out the universe will be filled with his glory
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Emma Corwin
(1/23/2008 10:34:00 PM) |
A charming tale and a lesson never out of style.
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Bob Adams
(1/14/2008 10:12:00 AM) |
Great to finally locate this poem. It was my Father's favorite when he was at school in the 1920's, so much so that he was known as Abou by everyone who knew him, until his death. As our surname is Adams it is totally appropriate, and his tribe has increased I can assure you all! Many Thanks
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James Henry Leigh Hunt
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