Benediction
The poem expresses a mother's heartfelt farewell to her son as he embarks on a journey into the unknown. It captures the themes of love, aspiration, and the bittersweet nature of letting go. The mother acknowledges her own limitations and the completion of her own journey, while encouraging her son to pursue his dreams and explore new horizons. She emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and embracing the future, symbolized by the imagery of flight and celestial navigation. The tone is both celebratory and poignant, reflecting the duality of pride and sorrow in a parent's experience as their child steps into independence. The work ultimately conveys a message of hope and encouragement, urging the son to forge his own path and achieve greatness.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational, Spiritual · 93 words
First lines
Go forth, my son, Winged by my heart's desire!
Great reaches, yet unknown, Await For your possession.
I may not, if I would, Retrace the way with you, My pilgrimage is through, But life is calling you!
Fare high and far, my son, A new day has begun, Thy star-ways must be won!
What this Textopian page supports
Benediction is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Inspirational, Spiritual, Literary Fiction
- Length: 93 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Benediction by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Benediction?
- How does this poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Supreme by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Lesson by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Fusion by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Impelled by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Beautiful Eyes by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- To Your Eyes by Georgia Douglas Johnson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Inspirational — The themes focus on encouragement and the pursuit of dreams.
- Spiritual — The text conveys a sense of spiritual journey and personal growth.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style reflects literary qualities, emphasizing depth and emotional resonance.
Tags
Poetry · African American Literature · Early 20th Century · Free Verse · Spirituality · Faith · Hope · Love · Nature · Social Justice · Racism · Segregation