'The Power Of Prayer' by Sidney Lanier
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or, The First Steamboat up the Alabama.
You, Dinah!Come and set me whar de ribber-roads does meet.
De Lord, HE made dese black-jack roots to twis' into a seat.
Umph, dar!De Lord have mussy on dis blin' ole nigger's feet.
It 'pear to me dis mornin' I kin smell de fust o' June.
I 'clar', I b'lieve dat mockin'-bird could play de fiddle soon!
Dem yonder town-bells sounds like dey was ringin' in de moon.
Well, ef dis nigger IS been blind for fo'ty year or mo',
Dese ears, DEY sees the world, like, th'u' de cracks dat's in de do'.
For de Lord has built dis body wid de windows 'hind and 'fo'.
I know my front ones IS stopped up, and things is sort o' dim,
But den, th'u' DEM, temptation's rain won't leak in on ole Jim!
De back ones show me earth enough, aldo' dey's mons'ous slim.
And as for Hebben, -- bless de Lord, and praise His holy name --
DAT shines in all de co'ners of dis cabin jes' de same
As ef dat cabin hadn't nar' a plank upon de frame!
Who CALL me?Listen down de ribber, Dinah!Don't you hyar
Somebody holl'in' "Hoo, Jim, hoo?"My Sarah died las' y'ar;
IS dat black angel done come back to call ole Jim f'om hyar?
My stars, dat cain't be Sarah, shuh!Jes' listen, Dinah, NOW!
What KIN be comin' up dat bend, a-makin' sich a row?
Fus' bellerin' like a pawin' bull, den squealin' like a sow?
De Lord 'a' mussy sakes alive, jes' hear, -- ker-woof, ker-woof --
De Debble's comin' round dat bend, he's comin' shuh enuff,
A-splashin' up de water wid his tail and wid his hoof!
I'se pow'ful skeered; but neversomeless I ain't gwine run away:
I'm gwine to stand stiff-legged for de Lord dis blessed day.
YOU screech, and swish de water, Satan!I'se a gwine to pray.
O hebbenly Marster, what thou willest, dat mus' be jes' so,
And ef Thou hast bespoke de word, some nigger's bound to go.
Den, Lord, please take ole Jim, and lef young Dinah hyar below!
'Scuse Dinah, 'scuse her, Marster; for she's sich a little chile,
She hardly jes' begin to scramble up de homeyard stile,
But dis ole traveller's feet been tired dis many a many a mile.
I'se wufless as de rotten pole of las' year's fodder-stack.
De rheumatiz done bit my bones; you hear 'em crack and crack?
I cain'st sit down 'dout gruntin' like 'twas breakin' o' my back.
What use de wheel, when hub and spokes is warped and split, and rotten?
What use dis dried-up cotton-stalk, when Life done picked my cotton?
I'se like a word dat somebody said, and den done been forgotten.
But, Dinah!Shuh dat gal jes' like dis little hick'ry tree,
De sap's jes' risin in her; she do grow owdaciouslee --
Lord, ef you's clarin' de underbrush, don't cut her down, cut me!
I would not proud persume -- but I'll boldly make reques';
Sence Jacob had dat wrastlin'-match, I, too, gwine do my bes';
When Jacob got all underholt, de Lord he answered Yes!
And what for waste de vittles, now, and th'ow away de bread,
Jes' for to strength dese idle hands to scratch dis ole bald head?
T'ink of de 'conomy, Marster, ef dis ole Jim was dead!
Stop; -- ef I don't believe de Debble's gone on up de stream!
Jes' now he squealed down dar; -- hush; dat's a mighty weakly scream!
Yas, sir, he's gone, he's gone; -- he snort way off, like in a dream!
O glory hallelujah to de Lord dat reigns on high!
De Debble's fai'ly skeered to def, he done gone flyin' by;
I know'd he couldn' stand dat pra'r, I felt my Marster nigh!
You, Dinah; ain't you 'shamed, now, dat you didn' trust to grace?
I heerd you thrashin' th'u' de bushes when he showed his face!
You fool, you think de Debble couldn't beat YOU in a race?
I tell you, Dinah, jes' as shuh as you is standin' dar,
When folks starts prayin', answer-angels drops down th'u' de a'r.
YAS, DINAH, WHAR 'OULD YOU BE NOW, JES' 'CEPTIN' FUR DAT PRA'R?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Power Of Prayer by Sidney Lanier
Have you ever felt the power of prayer in your life? The ability to communicate with a higher power and receive guidance, comfort, and strength? Sidney Lanier's poem "The Power of Prayer" explores the transformative power of prayer and its ability to connect us to the divine.
A Deep Understanding of the Power of Prayer
The poem begins by setting the scene of a quiet, serene forest. The speaker walks through the woods, listening to the peaceful sounds of nature, and begins to pray. As the speaker prays, the natural world around them begins to transform. The trees and flowers seem to come alive with a renewed vitality, and the sounds of the forest become more vibrant and lively. The speaker notes that their "soul seemed soaring to some happier sphere," indicating a deep understanding of the power of prayer to elevate us beyond our earthly concerns.
The Nature of the Divine
Throughout the poem, Lanier explores the nature of the divine and its relationship to the natural world. The speaker notes that "God's breath went through the woodland," suggesting that the divine is intimately connected to the natural world. As the speaker prays, they feel a sense of communion with the divine, a feeling of being "fused with God." This sense of connection to the divine is reinforced by the vivid imagery of the forest, which seems to come alive with the presence of God.
The Transformative Power of Prayer
One of the key themes in "The Power of Prayer" is the transformative power of prayer. The speaker notes that prayer has the ability to "heal the wounded heart," suggesting that prayer has the ability to bring comfort and solace to those who are hurting. The transformative power of prayer is further reinforced by the transformation of the natural world around the speaker as they pray. The trees and flowers seem to come alive, suggesting that prayer has the power to bring new life and vitality to even the most stagnant of situations.
The Connection Between Prayer and the Self
Lanier also explores the connection between prayer and the self. The speaker notes that as they pray, they feel a sense of peace and tranquility, suggesting that prayer has the ability to quiet our minds and bring us into a state of inner stillness. This sense of inner peace is further reinforced by the image of the "silence of the wood," which suggests that prayer has the ability to bring us into a deeper awareness of our own inner selves.
The Importance of Faith
Finally, Lanier emphasizes the importance of faith in the power of prayer. The speaker notes that "faith in prayer, and prayer in faith" are the keys to unlocking the transformative power of prayer. This suggests that without faith, prayer is just a meaningless ritual, but with faith, prayer has the ability to transform our lives and bring us into a deeper connection with the divine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sidney Lanier's poem "The Power of Prayer" is a powerful exploration of the transformative power of prayer and its ability to connect us to the divine. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Lanier conveys the profound sense of peace, comfort, and renewal that can come from prayer. Whether you believe in the power of prayer or not, there is something deeply moving and inspiring about the way Lanier portrays the connection between prayer and the natural world, and the transformative power that this connection can bring to our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Power of Prayer: An Analysis of Sidney Lanier's Classic Poem
As humans, we are constantly searching for ways to connect with the divine. Whether it be through meditation, prayer, or other spiritual practices, we seek to transcend the limitations of our physical bodies and tap into something greater than ourselves. In his classic poem, "The Power of Prayer," Sidney Lanier explores the transformative power of prayer and its ability to connect us with the divine.
At its core, "The Power of Prayer" is a celebration of the human spirit and its ability to transcend the limitations of the physical world. Lanier begins the poem by describing the beauty of nature, with its "blue sky" and "golden sun." He then goes on to describe the power of prayer, which he sees as a way to connect with the divine and tap into the limitless potential of the universe.
Throughout the poem, Lanier uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the transformative power of prayer. For example, he compares prayer to a "golden key" that unlocks the doors to the divine. He also describes prayer as a "mighty engine" that can move mountains and change the course of history.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Power of Prayer" is its emphasis on the importance of faith. Lanier argues that faith is essential to the power of prayer, and that without it, prayer is nothing more than empty words. He writes, "Faith is the soul's sure anchor, which can hold / In every storm, however fierce and wild."
Lanier also explores the idea that prayer is not just a way to connect with the divine, but also a way to connect with our fellow human beings. He writes, "Prayer is the link that binds / Our hearts in Christian love." This idea of prayer as a unifying force is particularly relevant in today's world, where we are often divided by our differences.
Another important theme in "The Power of Prayer" is the idea that prayer is not just a passive activity, but something that requires action on our part. Lanier writes, "Prayer is not asking God to do / Our bidding, but the asking Him to help / Us do our own." In other words, prayer is not just about asking for things, but about taking responsibility for our own lives and working towards our goals.
Overall, "The Power of Prayer" is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the transformative power of prayer. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Lanier conveys the idea that prayer is not just a way to connect with the divine, but also a way to connect with our fellow human beings and take responsibility for our own lives. In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, "The Power of Prayer" reminds us of the importance of faith, unity, and action.
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