"A Song of Hope" by Charles Bertram Johnson

Support Poem-a-Day

December 27, 2020

A Song of Hope

Charles Bertram Johnson

Day is at the gate,
    I am risen late;
Clouds laze in the air,
    Clouds sleep on the grass;
I have song to spare
    Till the shadows pass.

Day is at the noon,
    No thread of bow or moon;
Rain is in the air,
    Drenched and limp the grass;
I have song to spare
    Till the shadows pass.

Day is at the close,
    Faith no logic knows;
Rain-clouds blur the air,
    All the world is dun;
I have song to spare
    Till to-morrow’s sun.

This poem is in the public domain. Published in Poem-a-Day on December 27, 2020 by the Academy of American Poets.

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast

“A Song of Hope” originally appeared in the October, 1921 issue of The Crisis.

Charles Bertram Johnson was born in Callao, Missouri, in 1880. He is the author of the poetry collection Songs of My People (The Cornhill Company, 1918) and the pamphlets Wind Whisperings (1900) and The Mantle of Dunbar (1918). Johnson worked as a teacher and later became part of the ministry.

The Crisis
(1921)

“Dewdrops” by Myra Viola Wilds
read more

“A Golden Day” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
read more

Thanks to Brian Blanchfield, author of Proxies: Essays Near Knowing (Nightboat Books, 2016), who curated Poem-a-Day for this month’s weekdays. Read a Q&A about Blanchfield’s curatorial approach and find out more about our guest editors for the year.

Copyright © 2020 The Academy of American Poets, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:

The Academy of American Poets

75 Maiden Lane

St #901

New York, NY 10038

Add us to your address book

View this email in your browser

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Older messages

"That is solemn we have ended,— (87)" by Emily Dickinson

Saturday, December 26, 2020

That is solemn we have ended,— Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day December 26, 2020 That is solemn we have ended,— (87) Emily Dickinson That is solemn we have ended,— Be it but a play, Or a

"Jasmine" by Nate Klug

Friday, December 25, 2020

With dusk's slow bleed, the scent comes back / from beyond our gate Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day December 25, 2020 Jasmine Nate Klug With dusk's slow bleed, the scent comes

"Just After Dawn" by Merrill Gilfillan

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Born to bees (they follow the deer trails / down to drink from the rivers). Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day December 24, 2020 Just After Dawn Merrill Gilfillan Born to bees (they follow

Poems for the New Year, Announcing 2021 Poem-a-Day Guest Editors, Poets Laureate Fellowships

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poets.org December 23, 2020 Poems for the New Year As we reflect on a difficult year, we continue to hold on to hope. Rejoice in the possibilities of a new year with

"echium swallows" by Noah Ross

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

at the edge of the verbena the echium swallows bees Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day December 23, 2020 echium swallows Noah Ross / at the edge of the verbena the echium swallows bees in a

You Might Also Like

Midnight Mass

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Christmas thoughts ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

"Passing of the Old Year" by Mary Weston Fordham

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Ah! the year is slowly dying, / And the wind in tree-top sighing, December 28, 2024 donate Passing of the Old Year Mary Weston Fordham Ah! the year is slowly dying, And the wind in tree-top sighing,

The Gorgeous Coat Every London Girl Is Wearing Right Now

Saturday, December 28, 2024

It's taking over. The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 12.27.2024 London-Based Designer (Celebrity) The Gorgeous Coat Every London Girl Is Wearing Right Now It's taking over. Read More Cate

Kim K's Bandeau Bra, Rihanna's Unexpected Layers, & More Buzzy 2025 Trends

Friday, December 27, 2024

Plus, Beyoncé's assless chaps, the most jaw-dropping beauty moments of 2024, your daily horoscope, and more. Dec. 27, 2024 Bustle Daily 2025's most exciting fashion trends. TREND REPORT Kim

ask me things, please (again)

Friday, December 27, 2024

preparing for AMA round four ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Your Money May Not Be Safe in a Digital Bank 🚨

Friday, December 27, 2024

Pathways to Hope Can Improve Your Mental Health. Fintech customers are learning the nuances of "FDIC-insured" the hard way. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter online. TODAY'S

The 25 Best Movies Of 2024

Friday, December 27, 2024

Plus: 'Wicked' Director Jon M. Chu reveals his favorite bonus scene. • Dec. 27, 2024 Up Next Your complete guide to industry-shaping entertainment news, exclusive interviews with A-list celebs,

Our collective 2024

Friday, December 27, 2024

We did it. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Poetry may not change the world, but might change you

Friday, December 27, 2024

View this email in your browser Dear Friend, “will poetry change the world?” As we approach the upcoming new year, I have been reflecting on poetry's place in our culture and communities and these

New and Old #194

Friday, December 27, 2024

Friday roundup and commentary ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏