List I to the hurried beatings <br />Of my heart; <br />How its quickened, loud repeatings <br />Make me start! <br /> <br />Often do I hear it throbbing <br />Fast and wild; <br />As I've heard it, after sobbing, <br />When a child. <br /> <br />Why so wild, so swift and heated, <br />Little heart? <br />Is there something in thee seated, <br />Baffling art? <br /> <br />Pain with all thy throbs is blended-- <br />Pain so dread! <br />Oftentimes life seems suspended <br />By a thread! <br /> <br />Then thou'lt grow so still--like ocean <br />In its rest;-- <br />Till I scarce can feel a motion <br />In my breast. <br /> <br />Think'st thy house is dark and dreary, <br />Veiled in night? <br />Art thou pining, sad and weary, <br />For the light? <br /> <br />Wouldst be free from the dominions <br />That control; <br />Spreading all thy golden pinions <br />Toward the goal? <br /> <br />Gladly, gladly, would I free thee <br />From Earth's thrall! <br />With what bliss and joy to see thee <br />Rise o'er all! <br /> <br />But 'tis not for me to aid thee <br />In thy flight; <br />For the Holy One who made thee, <br />Doeth right. <br /> <br />When his own good time arriveth, <br />Then will He, <br />From the load with which thou strivest, <br />Set thee free.<br /><br />Frances Ellen Watkins Harper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-heart-223/
