Footsteps of Angels
By John Blockley
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!
Understanding Footsteps of Angels
Footsteps of Angels is a deeply evocative poem by John Blockley, first published in 1862 and later set to music by the composer himself. The poem explores the delicate space between life and death, memory and presence. It describes a quiet visitation by loved ones who have passed on, appearing in the stillness of the evening to offer comfort and a renewed sense of peace. The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its tender portrayal of grief, remembrance, and the enduring power of love. It speaks to our universal desire to believe that those we have lost are never truly gone.
Summary and Central Idea
The poem centers around the speaker’s experience of receiving visits from departed loved ones during the quiet hours of the evening. As daylight fades, the speaker feels a spiritual awakening, and the forms of those who have passed begin to appear. These visitors include a valiant young man, those who suffered with grace, and, most importantly, a beloved woman who held a special place in the speaker’s heart. She arrives with a divine calmness, offering silent comfort and reassurance. The poem is not about sadness or loss, but a celebration of the enduring connection between the living and the dead, and the comfort found in cherished memories.
The central idea is the enduring presence of loved ones even after death, and the comfort that comes from remembering them. Blockley suggests that death is not an ending, but a transition, and that the bonds of love transcend the physical realm.
In-Depth Analysis of Poetic and Literary Devices
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Blockley masterfully employs imagery to create a vivid and atmospheric experience for the reader. He doesn’t simply tell us it’s evening; he shows us with lines like “When the hours of Day are numbered” and “Ere the evening lamps are lighted.” This appeals to our visual sense, while descriptions such as “voices of the Night” engage our auditory imagination. The imagery is symbolic, representing the transition from the vibrant energy of life to the quiet stillness of the afterlife.
Consider the line: “Shadows from the fitful firelight / Dance upon the parlor wall.” This is more than a description of light and shadow; it creates a sense of mystery and ethereality, foreshadowing the arrival of spectral visitors. The visual of “dancing” shadows creates a dynamic and almost playful sense, softening the potentially somber subject matter.
Metaphor and Symbolism
Throughout the poem, Blockley uses metaphors to enrich meaning and evoke deeper emotions. The “Being Beauteous” is a metaphor for a beloved woman, elevated to saintly status in the speaker’s memory. Night itself symbolizes a time of reflection and spiritual openness, while the act of visiting represents the enduring connection between the living and the dead.
The “footsteps of angels” in the title are not literal; they represent the subtle, intangible presence of the departed, a feeling of comfort and reassurance that washes over the speaker. It is a beautiful metaphor for the lingering impact loved ones have on our lives, even after they are gone.
Alliteration and Assonance
Blockley was a master of sound devices, and Footsteps of Angels is replete with alliteration and assonance. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, creates musicality and emphasis. For example, the repeated “f” sound in “fitful firelight” draws attention to this striking image. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, also contributes to the poem’s melodic quality. Consider the repeated “o” sound in “Shadows from the fitful firelight,” which creates a sense of flow and rhythm.
These sound devices are not merely ornamental; they enhance the emotional impact of the poem, drawing the reader deeper into the speaker’s experience and creating a soothing, almost hypnotic effect.
Enjambment and Rhythm
Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is used skillfully throughout the poem. This creates a sense of fluidity and momentum, mirroring the ethereal nature of the visitation. For instance: “Shadows from the fitful firelight / Dance upon the parlor wall.” The line break does not interrupt the thought; rather, it draws attention to the image and emphasizes the movement of the shadows.
The poem’s rhythm, primarily iambic tetrameter, also contributes to its musicality. The steady beat creates a soothing and comforting effect, perfectly complementing the poem’s theme of peace and remembrance. This consistent rhythm mirrors the steady, comforting presence of the departed.
Diction and Tone
Blockley’s choice of words is deliberately archaic and elevated. Words such as “ere” and “spake” contribute to the poem’s timeless and otherworldly quality. The tone of the poem is initially melancholic and reflective, but it gradually shifts toward one of peace and acceptance. The speaker’s fear and loneliness are replaced by a sense of comfort and reassurance, as the presence of the departed loved ones fills the void.
Examining Stanza Structure and Rhyme Scheme
Footsteps of Angels is structured in ten quatrains, each consisting of four lines. This consistent stanza structure provides a sense of order and stability. The poem adheres to an ABAB rhyme scheme throughout, creating a musical flow and emphasizing the interconnectedness of the ideas.
The quatrain form allows Blockley to explore different facets of the visitation within each stanza, while the rhyme scheme reinforces the poem’s overall theme of harmony and remembrance. The predictable rhyme scheme itself creates a sense of comfort and stability for the reader.
Quotable Lines and Their Significance
Several lines from Footsteps of Angels resonate deeply with readers and are often quoted to express feelings of loss, remembrance, and enduring love.
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 peaceful and comforting presence of the departed loved one. The comparison to stars evokes a sense of celestial beauty and timelessness, suggesting that the bond between the living and the dead transcends the physical realm. It is a particularly evocative image that captures the essence of the poem’s message. The stars symbolize not only beauty but also a sense of watching over and eternal presence.
Conclusion
Footsteps of Angels remains a powerful reminder that the presence of loved ones is ever present, even beyond death. The poem encourages us to honor memory with reverence and to find solace in the enduring connection that transcends the finality of death. It is a beautiful and comforting work that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and the enduring power of love.