Through Darkness to Light, a poem by Miriam del Banco (1932)

Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=44747

Date: 2022-06-01

Last Updated: 2022-06-01

Categories: Yotser Ohr

Tags: 19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., Angels, English poetry, English vernacular prayer, Prayers as poems

Excerpt: The poem "Through Darkness to Light" by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 29. . . .

Content:

Contribute a translation	Source (English)
	Through Darkness to Light
	Far in the vaults of the deep-blue heaven, Up near the glow of the gates of light, Fair as the dream to a poet given, Angels were watching the dark-robed night; Watching her glide through the realms of shadow, Kindling and placing each glittering star; Flinging her veil from the flowery meadow, Off to the snow on the peaks afar.
	Long had they watched, since the grey-robed twilight, Sighing to winds o’er the dying day, Hiding her face in her long, wild tresses, Weepingly knelt in the sun’s last ray; Watched since the Day in her dying splendor, Sank to her rest on her cloudy bed. Kissed by the sun, who with glowing fingers, Braided a crown for her golden head.
	Now as the hours were onward trooping, Now as the breeze its magic lent, Sobbing anon like a heart in sorrow, Moaning forever a solemn chant, Forth to the east in the dim, grey shadows, Forth to the east in the moon’s last ray, Off swept the angels to crowd the curtains Back from the face of the new-born day.
	Gaily she came in her azure garments, Spangling with dewdrops her golden hair; Laughingly kissing her rosy fingers, Lading with perfume the morning air; Far in the vaults of the deep-blue heaven Up near the glow of the gates of light, Fair as the dream to a poet given, Angels were chanting “The death of night.”

---

The poem “Through Darkness to Light” by Miriam del Banco (1858-1931) was included in her posthumously published anthology, Poetry and Prose (1932), p. 29. The poem was likely published during her lifetime, but we do not know where or when. If you know, please leave a comment, or contact us. –Aharon Varady

Source(s)

 

Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)

Co-authors:

• 
  Name: Aharon N. Varady (editing/transcription)
  Bio: Aharon Varady (M.A.J.Ed./JTSA Davidson) is a volunteer transcriber for the Open Siddur Project. If you find any mistakes in his transcriptions, please let him know. Shgiyot mi yavin; Ministarot naqeni שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי "Who can know all one's flaws? From hidden errors, correct me" (Psalms 19:13). If you'd like to directly support his work, please consider donating via his Patreon account. (Varady also translates prayers and contributes his own original work besides serving as the primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project and its website, opensiddur.org.)
  Website: https://aharon.varady.net
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/aharon-varady
• 
  Name: Miriam del Banco
  Bio: Miriam del Banco (27 June 1858 - 6 November 1931) was a writer, poet, translator, and educator. She was the daughter of Rabbi Max Del Banco (1825-1864), a reform rabbi with a congregation in Evansville, Indiana at the time of his death. Johanna (née Meyer), Miriam's mother, moved to St. Louis and there Miriam began her education in its public schools, displaying remarkable poetic talent. Later she was sent to her uncle at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she attended the State Normal School. After graduating with honors, she rejoined her mother, who in the mean time had moved to Chicago. There, in 1885, Ms. Del Banco began teaching in the public schools, and from 1889 onward, as the assistant principal at the Von Humboldt School. Later on she served as the principal of the McClellan and Motley schools in Chicago. In 1921, at the age of 63, she earned a PhD from DePaul University. She was a frequent contributor to both the Jewish and general press, having written a large number of poems, both Jewish and secular, and often under the pseudonym, "the Pansy" (after her favorite flower).
  Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Del_Banco
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/miriam-del-banco

Featured Image:

Title: Through Darkness to Light (Miriam del Banco 1932) – cropped
Caption: Through Darkness to Light (Miriam del Banco 1932) - cropped