Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AT BAY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Desperate, at last I stand Last Line: But to greet you hand or fist. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Fate; Fights; Life; Destiny | ||||||||
DESPERATE, at last I stand Ready, Fate, with open hand To grasp yours, or to strike Blow for blow -- just as you like. You have dogged me day by day -- Chased me when a child at play: Even from the mother-nest Pushed me when I needed rest. You have crouched along my track Like a hound, and hurled me back, While your dog's-tongue lapped the blood Of my murdered babyhood. Pitilessly, year by year, From the farthest past to here, You have fallen like a blight On each blossom of delight. You have risen up between Me and every hope serene That has promised rest at last From the trials of the past. You have shut the light of day From my present -- stolen away All my faith in better things Than sheer desperation brings. But as now I come to know That I may no farther go, I have turned -- not to resist, But to greet you hand or fist. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ATTEMPTING TO ANSWER DAVID IGNATOW'S QUESTION by ROBERT BLY FROST AND HIS ENEMIES by ROBERT BLY THE WORLDS IN THIS WORLD by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR UNABLE TO FIND by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR TO HELEN KELLER - HUMANITARIAN, SOCIAL DEMOCRAT, GREAT SOUL by EDWIN MARKHAM DOMESDAY BOOK: FINDING OF THE BODY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS WE COME BACK by KENNETH REXROTH THE WAKING (2) by THEODORE ROETHKE A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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