The Hound of Heaven

by Francis Thompson

"The Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson is a 182-line poem written in 1890. This ode depicts the relentless pursuit of the human soul by God's love. As the speaker flees through sin and earthly attachments, divine grace follows with unhurrying pace, closing in like a hound tracking its prey. Thompson uses irregular rhythms and free-flowing lines to capture the soul's panicked retreat, while a recurring refrain suggests the inexorable approach of the pursuer. The poem explores mystical themes of flight, grace, and the soul's ultimate surrender.