19th Century Poetry: "Hosanna Anthem" and "Millennium"

William W. Phelps’s “Hosanna Anthem” is a hymn rich with eloquence and vivid imagery. Yet because it’s a hymn, critics would consider its form to be subliterary, according to England’s article. In spite of this, I find the images of the Spirit of God burning “like a fire” and the lamb and the lion lying “down together” to be powerful images that help express the idea of God restoring knowledge, miracles, and eventually peace to the earth in the latter days. As a hymn that was written to be sung for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, the words and themes in this poem are given all the more meaning, as we can see how important and sacred this hymn was to the Saints during such a special occasion.

Ina Coolbrith’s poem “Millennium” is also a powerful piece of literature in its own right. The poem continually brings up the theme of the dark storm that awaits the wicked earth--and contrasts that with the “light” and “morn” and “blessed peace” that will follow the destruction. Coolbrith expresses the wickedness of the world through the epithet “battle-giants of the air” and alliterations like “warring waters.” This poem brings balance to the differing world perspectives on whether God is angry and unforgiving with the sins of the world or if He is loving and merciful: because He is loving, sometimes He has to destroy the wicked in order to preserve the righteous. At its core, however, the poem expresses a very individual experience: A Latter-day Saint who has experienced firsthand the persecution and suffering that has come from an increasingly wicked world, and who eagerly awaits the Second Coming and the peace that will result. Looking at both of these poems, I think that the purpose, form, and unique theological perspective behind the poems have to be considered when we evaluate works for literary potential.