Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IN HOSPITAL: 13. CASUALTY, by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As with varnish red and glistening Last Line: But her lip was grey and writhen. Alternate Author Name(s): Henley, W. E. Subject(s): Hospitals | ||||||||
As with varnish red and glistening, Dripped his hair; his feet looked rigid; Raised, he settled stiffly sideways: You could see his hurts were spinal. He had fallen from an engine, And had been dragged along the metals. It was hopeless, and they knew it; So they covered him, and left him. As he lay, by fits half-sentient, Inarticulately moaning, With his stockinged soles protruded Stark and awkward from the blankets, To his bed there came a woman, Stood and looked and sighed a little, And departed without speaking, As himself a few hours after. I was told it was his sweetheart. They were on the eve of marriage. She was quiet as a statue, But her lip was grey and writhen. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HAVING BEEN ASKED WHAT IS A MAN? I ANSWER by PHILIP LEVINE NEW YEAR'S EVE, IN HOSPITAL by PHILIP LEVINE THE DEMOCRATIC DIME by EVE MERRIAM THIS DID NOT HAPPEN by THYLIAS MOSS WALT WHITMAN IN THE CIVIL WAR HOSPITALS by DAVID IGNATOW A FIELD HOSPITAL by RANDALL JARRELL BALLADE OF DEAD ACTORS by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY |
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