When the hours of Day are numbered,
And the voices of the Night
Wake the better soul, that slumbered,
To a holy, calm delight;
Ere the evening lamps are lighted,
And, like phantoms grim and tall,
Shadows from the fitful firelight
Dance upon the parlor wall;
Then the forms of the departed
Enter at the open door;
The beloved, the true‑hearted,
Come to visit me once more;
He, the young and strong, who cherished
Noble longings for the strife,
By the roadside fell and perished,
Weary with the march of life!
They, the holy ones and weakly,
Who the cross of suffering bore,
Folded their pale hands so meekly,
Spake with us on earth no more!
And with them the Being Beauteous,
Who unto my youth was given,
More than all things else to love me,
And is now a saint in heaven.
With a slow and noiseless footstep
Comes that messenger divine,
Takes the vacant chair beside me,
Lays her gentle hand in mine.
And she sits and gazes at me
With those deep and tender eyes,
Like the stars, so still and saint‑like,
Looking downward from the skies.
Uttered not, yet comprehended,
Is the spirit’s voiceless prayer,
Soft rebukes, in blessings ended,
Breathing from her lips of air.
Oh, though oft depressed and lonely,
All my fears are laid aside,
If I but remember only
Such as these have lived and died!
Unlocking the Poetic Beauty of “Footsteps of Angels”
Welcome to a journey into the heart of John Blockley’s poignant poem, “Footsteps of Angels”. This timeless piece, first published in 1862, offers a tender exploration of memory, loss, and the enduring power of love. It invites readers to contemplate the delicate veil between life and what lies beyond, finding solace in the spiritual presence of those who have passed. Prepare to discover the layers of meaning and the masterful use of literary devices that make this poem a cherished work.
“Footsteps of Angels” Summary and Central Idea
The poem “Footsteps of Angels” beautifully captures a speaker’s profound experience during the quiet hours of evening. As daylight fades and the world settles into night, the speaker feels a spiritual awakening, a moment when the “better soul, that slumbered” is roused. In this serene atmosphere, beloved individuals who have departed from life begin to appear. These ethereal visitors include a valiant young man who met an untimely end, those who endured suffering with grace, and most significantly, a “Being Beauteous” who was deeply cherished in the speaker’s youth and is now envisioned as a saint in heaven.
This particular angelic figure arrives with a gentle, noiseless presence, offering silent comfort and reassurance. The poem is not a lament of sadness or an expression of overwhelming grief, but rather a celebration of the unbreakable connection between the living and the dead. It highlights the profound comfort found in cherished memories and the belief that love transcends the physical realm.
The central idea of “Footsteps of Angels” is the enduring presence of loved ones even after death, and the deep solace that remembrance brings. Blockley suggests that death is not an absolute ending, but a transition, and that the bonds of love and memory continue to enrich and comfort the living. A noteworthy aspect for all readers is the poem’s universal message of finding peace and strength through the memory of those who have shaped our lives.
In-Depth Analysis of Poetic and Literary Devices in “Footsteps of Angels”
Vivid Imagery and Sensory Detail
Blockley masterfully employs imagery to create a rich, atmospheric experience, drawing the reader into the speaker’s reflective state. The poem does not merely state the time of day; it paints a picture, engaging multiple senses.
- Visual Imagery: The fading light is vividly portrayed with lines such as “When the hours of Day are numbered” and “Ere the evening lamps are lighted.” This sets a scene of transition and quiet anticipation. The ethereal nature of the visitors is hinted at through “Shadows from the fitful firelight / Dance upon the parlor wall,” creating a sense of mystery and movement.
- Auditory Imagery: The “voices of the Night” awaken the soul, suggesting a profound quietude where inner thoughts and spiritual connections become clearer. This is a subtle yet powerful auditory detail that enhances the poem’s reflective mood.
- Symbolic Imagery: The “vacant chair beside me” is a poignant visual, symbolizing the physical absence of the loved one, yet it is filled by the spiritual presence, transforming emptiness into comfort.
Profound Metaphor and Symbolism
Throughout “Footsteps of Angels”, Blockley uses metaphors and symbols to imbue the poem with deeper meaning and emotional resonance.
- The “Footsteps of Angels”: The title itself is a powerful metaphor. These are not literal footsteps, but rather the subtle, intangible sense of comfort and reassurance that washes over the speaker, representing the lingering impact and spiritual presence of the departed. It beautifully conveys the idea that loved ones are never truly gone.
- The “Being Beauteous”: This phrase serves as a metaphor for a deeply beloved woman, elevated to a saintly status in the speaker’s memory and belief. Her transformation into “a saint in heaven” symbolizes the idealization of lost love and the hope of spiritual continuity.
- Night as a Symbol: The evening hours, described as “When the hours of Day are numbered,” symbolize a time of reflection, spiritual openness, and a blurring of the lines between the physical world and the spiritual realm. It is a time when the soul is most receptive to profound experiences.
- The “Cross of Suffering”: This phrase, found in “Who the cross of suffering bore,” is a powerful symbol of hardship and endurance, often carrying religious connotations of sacrifice and patience in adversity.
Musicality Through Sound Devices: Alliteration and Assonance
Blockley’s masterful use of sound devices contributes significantly to the poem’s melodic quality and emotional impact, drawing the reader deeper into its soothing rhythm.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds creates a musicality and emphasizes certain phrases. For instance, the repeated ‘f’ sound in “fitful firelight” draws attention to this vivid image, enhancing its mysterious quality. Similarly, “still and saint‑like” highlights the serene nature of the angelic gaze.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates a sense of flow and internal rhyme, adding to the poem’s lyrical charm. Observe the long ‘e’ sound in “deep and tender eyes,” which creates a gentle, lingering quality, mirroring the tender gaze described. Another example is the ‘o’ sound in “Shadows from the fitful firelight,” contributing to a smooth, flowing rhythm.
Structure and Flow: Enjambment and Meter
The poem’s construction, including its line breaks and rhythmic pattern, plays a crucial role in conveying its ethereal theme and maintaining reader engagement.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a grammatical pause, known as enjambment, creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. This mirrors the seamless, ethereal nature of the spiritual visitation. Consider the lines: “Shadows from the fitful firelight / Dance upon the parlor wall.” The thought flows uninterrupted, emphasizing the dynamic movement of the shadows and the continuous nature of the experience.
- Meter: “Footsteps of Angels” is predominantly written in iambic tetrameter, meaning each line typically has four iambic feet (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable: da-DUM). This consistent, gentle rhythm creates a soothing and comforting effect, perfectly complementing the poem’s theme of peace and remembrance. The steady beat provides a sense of stability and reassurance, much like the comforting presence of the departed.
Diction and Tone
Blockley’s deliberate choice of words, or diction, significantly shapes the poem’s tone and overall atmosphere.
- Archaic Diction: Words such as “Ere” (before) and “Spake” (spoke) lend an archaic and elevated quality to the poem, contributing to its timeless and otherworldly feel. This choice enhances the sense that the events described transcend ordinary time and space.
- Evolving Tone: The poem’s tone begins with a reflective, slightly melancholic air, as the speaker acknowledges the “departed.” However, it gradually shifts towards one of profound peace, acceptance, and comfort. This transformation is evident in the concluding lines: “Oh, though oft depressed and lonely, / All my fears are laid aside, / If I but remember only / Such as these have lived and died!” Here, the initial feelings of loneliness are replaced by solace and reassurance, highlighting the healing power of memory.
Examining Stanza Structure and Rhyme Scheme
The formal structure of “Footsteps of Angels” contributes to its harmonious and memorable quality.
- Quatrain Structure: The poem is consistently structured in ten quatrains, meaning each stanza comprises four lines. This uniform stanza length provides a sense of order, balance, and stability, creating a predictable framework for the unfolding narrative.
- ABAB Rhyme Scheme: Each quatrain adheres to an ABAB rhyme scheme, where the first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines rhyme. For example, in the opening stanza: “numbered” (A), “Night” (B), “slumbered” (A), “delight” (B). This consistent and gentle rhyme scheme creates a musical flow, enhances the poem’s lyrical nature, and reinforces the interconnectedness of the ideas presented within each stanza. The predictability of the rhyme scheme itself offers a comforting rhythm to the reader.
Memorable Lines and Their Profound Impact
Certain lines from “Footsteps of Angels” resonate deeply, encapsulating the poem’s core messages of enduring love and spiritual connection.
And she sits and gazes at me / With those deep and tender eyes, / Like the stars, so still and saint‑like, / Looking downward from the skies.
This passage beautifully captures the serene and comforting presence of the beloved departed. The comparison of her eyes to “the stars, so still and saint‑like” evokes a sense of celestial beauty, timelessness, and a watchful, eternal presence. It suggests that the bond between the living and the dead transcends the physical realm, offering a profound sense of being cared for and remembered from a higher plane. This imagery is particularly evocative, conveying both the beauty of memory and the spiritual elevation of the loved one.
Oh, though oft depressed and lonely, / All my fears are laid aside, / If I but remember only / Such as these have lived and died!
These concluding lines powerfully articulate the transformative effect of remembrance. They reveal that despite moments of loneliness and fear, the mere act of recalling the lives and legacies of loved ones brings immense comfort and dispels anxieties. This passage serves as the poem’s ultimate message of hope and resilience, emphasizing that the memory of those who have passed can be a profound source of strength and peace.
Conclusion: The Enduring Message of “Footsteps of Angels”
“Footsteps of Angels” stands as a beautiful and comforting testament to the enduring power of love and memory. John Blockley’s masterful use of imagery, metaphor, sound devices, and a gentle rhythm creates a deeply moving experience that speaks to the universal human desire for connection beyond the boundaries of life. The poem encourages readers to cherish the memories of loved ones, finding solace and strength in their spiritual presence. It reminds us that while physical forms may depart, the essence of those we hold dear continues to walk with us, leaving indelible “footsteps of angels” upon our hearts.