(28 July 1844 – 8 June 1889 / Stratford, Essex)

poet Gerard Manley Hopkins
#109 on top 500 poets
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What do you think this poem is about?

Moonless darkness stands between

Moonless darkness stands between.
Past, the Past, no more be seen!
But the Bethlehem-star may lead me
To the sight of Him Who freed me
From the self that I have been.
Make me pure, Lord: Thou art holy;
Make me meek, Lord: Thou wert lowly;
Now beginning, and alway:
Now begin, on Christmas day.

Submitted: Tuesday, November 25, 2003


Read poems about / on: christmas, star

Comments about this poem (Moonless darkness stands between by Gerard Manley Hopkins )

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  • Mark Jensen (1/2/2013 2:28:00 AM)

    Very tight poem, expressing an intense devotion humbly yet eloquently (and it's not easy to use thou art and thou wert and still sound natural) . Hopkins is a master, and this poem is delightful to contemplate.

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • JOSEPH POEWHIT (1/2/2010 7:14:00 AM)

    Seems Hopkins is inwardly seeking the perfection of GOD. Shirking vanities and looking for the light.

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Kevin Straw (1/2/2010 6:50:00 AM)

    Catholic theology expressed with a poet’s special gifts, but material interest only to Catholics.

    1 person liked.
    		1 person did not like.
  • Fay Slimm (1/2/2010 12:59:00 AM)

    The poet's heart shines through this prayerful verse and G.M. Hopkins was in his short life a master of the arresting phrase..... being a priest he saw the world in terms of creative conflict at times with his God. This piece is a good example of his strength as a writer.

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Ramesh T A (1/2/2010 12:48:00 AM)

    Nice way of invocation to overcome oblivion!

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • C.d. Xiang (1/2/2009 12:17:00 AM)

    Expedient work, nonetheless stimulating!

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Christina Green (1/2/2008 1:31:00 PM)

    Oh wow. This is a(n) very interesting poem. I really like it. I jope to read more poems like that. -smiles-

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • quercus : I've never got paid for my hits... (1/2/2007 7:05:00 PM)

    well, I believe it is a beautiful prayer, rather than a song...Although it's short it tells so much...

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
  • Eddie Loughran (1/2/2007 4:39:00 AM)

    I like this!
    Does anyone know anything about it? It feels to me more like a song, except its too short.

    1 person liked.
    		0 person did not like.
Read all 9 comments »

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