The Great Cities (Wayfaring Psalms in Palestine)
This collection of poems explores the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Holy Land through a series of meditations on its cities and landscapes. The poems evoke a sense of reverence and awe for the ancient sites and traditions that have shaped the region's history. They also express a deep longing for peace, justice, and reconciliation in a land scarred by conflict.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1908 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious · 397 words
First lines
How wonderful are the cities that man hath builded: Their walls are compacted of heavy stones, And their lofty towers rise above the tree-tops.
Rome, Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, -- Venice, Constantinople, Moscow, Pekin, -- London, New York, Berlin, Paris, Vienna, --
What this Textopian page supports
The Great Cities (Wayfaring Psalms in Palestine) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Religious, Social Commentary, Travel
- Length: 397 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 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, metaphor, and rhythm to convey its themes.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential and philosophical questions about human creation, the nature of cities, and the divine role in human endeavors.
- Religious — The work references God and divine creation, reflecting on spiritual themes and the relationship between man and the divine.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques urban life, highlighting issues such as wealth disparity, human toil, and existential dissatisfaction.
Tags
Travelogue · Pilgrimage · Poetry · Prose · Spirituality · Philosophy · Literary Nonfiction · Memoir · Autobiography · Historical Fiction · Middle Eastern Studies · Palestinian History