The Glory of Ruins (Wayfaring Psalms in Palestin
This collection of poems explores the intersection of faith and landscape in the Holy Land. The speaker navigates ancient ruins, reflecting on the transience of human endeavor and the enduring power of nature. Through a mix of nostalgia and awe, the poems examine the tension between spiritual longing and the harsh realities of history.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Historical · 209 words
First lines
The lizard rested on the rock while I sat among the ruins, And the pride of man was like a vision of the night.
Lo, the lords of the city have disappeared into darkness, The ancient wilderness hath swallowed up all their work.
There is nothing left of the city but a heap of fragments; The bones of a vessel broken by the storm.
Behold the waves of the desert wait hungrily for man's dwellings, And the tides of desolation return upon his toil.
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The Glory of Ruins (Wayfaring Psalms in Palestine) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1906 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Historical, Religious, Travel
- Length: 209 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery and metaphor.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential and philosophical ideas about the impermanence of human achievements and the enduring nature of thought.
- Historical — The text reflects on the historical context of ancient cities and their eventual decline.
- Religious — The work contains spiritual reflections and references to divine influence on human endeavors.
Tags
Travelogue · Pilgrimage · Spirituality · Christianity · Palestine · Holy Land · Journey · Reflections · Faith · Inspiration · Poetry · Prose