 | The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley |  |
2002
EVEN AS A CHILD
CANTON, SEPTEMBER 19, 1901
Even as a child to whom sad neighbors speak
In symbol, saying that his father “sleeps”—
Who feels their meaning, even as his cheek
Feels the first tear-drop as it stings and leaps—
Who keenly knows his loss, and yet denies
Its awful import—grieves unreconciled,
Moans, drowses—rouses, with new-drowning eyes—
Even as a child.
In symbol, saying that his father “sleeps”—
Who feels their meaning, even as his cheek
Feels the first tear-drop as it stings and leaps—
Who keenly knows his loss, and yet denies
Its awful import—grieves unreconciled,
Moans, drowses—rouses, with new-drowning eyes—
Even as a child.
Even as a child; with empty, aimless hand
Clasped sudden to the heart all hope deserts—
With tears that blur all lights on sea or land—
The lip that quivers and the throat that hurts:
Even so, the Nation that has known his love
Is orphaned now; and, whelmed in anguish wild
Knows but its sorrow and the ache thereof,
Even as a child.
Clasped sudden to the heart all hope deserts—
With tears that blur all lights on sea or land—
The lip that quivers and the throat that hurts:
Even so, the Nation that has known his love
Is orphaned now; and, whelmed in anguish wild
Knows but its sorrow and the ache thereof,
Even as a child.
| The Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley | |