The year I861 was a sad year for Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow.
In the month of July, his wife, Fanny, who he dearly
Loved, had been sealing a keepsake lock of their
Daughter’s hair in wax, when a gust of wind blew
Through the window causing her dress to catch fire.
Longfellow severely burned his face and hands
Attempting to save her, but Fanny’s burns were so
Severe she died the next day.
In the year 1864 his son was injured in the Civil War.
Christmas of that year, in despair he wrote this
Famous carol –
“I heard the bells on Christmas Day”
And in despair I bowed my head,
“There is no peace on earth” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the
Song of peace on earth, good will
To men.”
He had good reason to question if
There would ever be peace for him.
But then this great poet wrote
These words of cheer –
“Then pealed the bells more loud
And deep
“God is not dead nor does He sleep,
The wrong shall fail, the right
Prevail
With peace on earth, good will to
Men”
In this year of 2020, as Christmas
is nearing,
Little did we know of the despair
And loss we would be facing,
And perhaps in our questionings,
I might venture to say in humble words**
~~~
“I heard the bells on Christmas
Eve
How I yearned for peace to be
Where’re I look it seems so far
Struggles and doubt never cease
And as I bow on this dismal eve,
To me are only tears to weep”
~~~
“Then once more I heard the
Bells, loud and clear
Angels touching the earth
With harps of gold, bending
Near with songs of hope
God is still here, He does not sleep
Our grief will end, our pain removed
“Peace on earth, good will to men”
**But certainly not equal
Portions of this descriptive article on Longfellow
Is taken from ‘A Slice Of Infinity’ I Heard The Bells
By Betsy Childs
Donna's Poetry Blog 