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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE COUNTRY LETTER-CARRIER, by ELIZABETH
First Line: It thaws. On field and roadway the packing drifts have
Last Line: Cheer.
Alternate Author Name(s): Sylva, Carmen; Pauline Elizabeth Ottilie Luis
Subject(s): Postal Service; Postmen; Post Office; Mail; Mailmen
First Line: It thaws. On field and roadway the packing drifts have
Last Line: Cheer.
Alternate Author Name(s): Sylva, Carmen; Pauline Elizabeth Ottilie Luis
Subject(s): Postal Service; Postmen; Post Office; Mail; Mailmen
IT THAWS. On field and roadway the packing drifts have
faded:
The service-berry drips, and the slush is deep and stale;
The clouds hang low and leaden; the evening flow is pale:
The paths gleam like a brooklet, whose bed is all unshaded.
Along the highway trudges a messenger; unaided,
He limps and halts and shivers; his bag holds little
mail --
A single wretched letter all crumpled, old, and frail --
He must push on; the village he nears now, lame and jaded.
He knocks. A timid woman admits him: "Till now, never
Had I a letter! Heavens! My boy! Quick, give it here!
He's coming! Now we're happy!" Her aged muscles quiver:
"God sent you here. Be seated and warm yourself; come
near:
A share of my possessions are yours to keep forever."
The postman limps no longer, warmed by the woman's
cheer.