Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AWAY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AWAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I cannot say, and I will not say
Last Line: He is not dead -- he is just away.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Variant Title(s): He Is Not Dead
Subject(s): Grief; Religion; Sorrow; Sadness; Theology


I CANNOT SAY, and I will not say
That he is dead. He is just away.
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you -- oh, you, who the wildest yearn
For an old-time step, and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here.
Think of him still as the same. I say,
He is not dead -- he is just away.





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