Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OUTSIDE THE TOYSHOP, by JANE BARLOW Poet's Biography First Line: Beside the door they stand, anear the pane Last Line: Shall manhood's craving miss even these poor crumbs? Subject(s): Bread; Food & Eating; Homeless; Hunger; Poverty | ||||||||
BESIDE the door they stand, anear the pane Tricked with toy-wares. It is a dapple-grey In smooth round wafers dight, and lifts alway One prancing foot from grass-green board upta'en. An urchin he, oft met down alley and lane, Half lost in his wide old rags; agrin to-day, Because he still with fearful joy dares lay A stroking finger on that furry mane. He tastes his perilous pleasure like a bird Of quick small feet and wary eye, that comes To peck strewn fragments, flown at breath scarce heard. You smile among the hedgerows. In the slums You think: When flits this child-glee lightly stirred, Shall manhood's craving miss even these poor crumbs? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE WEALTH OF THE DESTITUTE by DENISE LEVERTOV EMPTY PITCHFORKS by THOMAS LUX FUNERAL SERVICE by EVE MERRIAM A SMALL COUNTRY by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA DOCUMENTAL by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA NOTES ON POVERTY by HAYDEN CARRUTH SONG OF TWO CROWS by HAYDEN CARRUTH PENCIL STUB JOURNALS: CHOICES by JOHN CIARDI AT LAST WE KILLED THE ROACHES by LUCILLE CLIFTON A CURLEW'S CALL by JANE BARLOW |
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