Russian Cathedral

Bow down my soul in worship very low

And in the holy silences be lost. 

Bow down before the marble man of woe, 

Bow down before the singing angel host. 



What jewelled glory fills my spirit's eye! 

What golden grandeur moves the depths of me! 

The soaring arches lift me up on high

Taking my breath with their rare symmetry. 



Bow down my soul and let the wondrous light

Of Beauty bathe thee from her lofty throne

Bow down before the wonder of man's might. 

Bow down in worship, humble and alone; 

Bow lowly down before the sacred sight 

Of man's divinity alive in stone. 

Credit

This poem is in the public domain. 

About this Poem

"Russian Cathedral" appeared in The New Negro: An Interpretation (Albert & Charles Boni, Inc., 1925).