I had a dream, a varied dream: <br />Before my ravished sight <br />The city of my Lord arose, <br />With all its love and light. <br /> <br />The music of a myriad harps <br />Flowed out with sweet accord; <br />And saints were casting down their crowns <br />In homage to our Lord. <br /> <br />My heart leaped up with untold joy; <br />Life's toil and pain were o'er; <br />My weary feet at last had found <br />The bright and restful shore. <br /> <br />Just as I reached the gates of light, <br />Ready to enter in, <br />From earth arose a fearful cry <br />Of sorrow and of sin. <br /> <br />I turned, and saw behind me surge <br />A wild and stormy sea; <br />And drowning men were reaching out <br />Imploring hands to me. <br /> <br />And ev'ry lip was blanched with dread <br />And moaning for relief; <br />The music of the golden harps <br />Grew fainter for their grief. <br /> <br />Let me return, I quickly said, <br />Close to the pearly gate; <br />My work is with these wretched ones, <br />So wrecked and desolate. <br /> <br />An angel smiled and gently said: <br />This is the gate of life, <br />Wilt thou return to earth's sad scenes, <br />Its weariness and strife, <br /> <br />To comfort hearts that sigh and break, <br />To dry the falling tear, <br />Wilt thou forego the music sweet <br />Entrancing now thy ear? <br /> <br />I must return, I firmly said, <br />The strugglers in that sea <br />Shall not reach out beseeching hands <br />In vain for help to me. <br /> <br />I turned to go; but as I turned <br />The gloomy sea grew bright, <br />And from my heart there seemed to flow <br />Ten thousand cords of light. <br /> <br />And sin-wrecked men, with eager hands, <br />Did grasp each golden cord; <br />And with my heart I drew them on <br />To see my gracious Lord. <br /> <br />Again I stood beside the gate. <br />My heart was glad and free; <br />For with me stood a rescued throng <br />The Lord had given me.<br /><br />Frances Ellen Watkins Harper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fishers-of-men/
