Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LITTLE WOMAN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My little woman, of you I sing Last Line: So closely here in mine. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Eyes; Love; Singing & Singers; Stars; Women | ||||||||
MY little woman, of you I sing With a fervor all divine, -- For I know the clasp of the hands that cling So closely here in mine. Though the rosy palms I used to press Are faded and worn with care, And tremulous is the old caress That nestles in my hair, -- Your heart to me is a changeless page; I have read it bit by bit, From the dawn of love to the dusk of age, -- And the tale is Holy Writ. Fold your eyes, -- for the twilight bends As a mother o'er her child -- Even as when, in the long-lost Then, You bent o'er ours and smiled. . . . (Nay, but I spoke all unaware! See! I am kneeling, too, And with mine, dear, is the rose's prayer, With a blur of tears and dew.) But O little woman, I often grieve, As I think of the vanished years And trace the course of the cares that leave Your features dim with tears: I often grieve, for the frowns I wore When the world seemed all untrue, -- When my hard, proud heart was sick and sore And would not come to you! I often grieve, as I hold your hand -- As I hold your hand to-night, -- That it takes so long to understand The lesson of love aright! But sing the song that I taught you once, Dear little woman, as then Away far back in the golden months: -- Sing me the song again! For, as under the stars we loved of yore When the nights of love were long, Your poor, pale lips grow glad once more And I kiss them into song: -- My little woman's hands are fair As even the moonflowers be When fairies creep in their depths and sleep Till the sun leaps out o' the sea. And O her eyes, they are spheres of light -- So brighter than stars are they, The brightest day is the darkest night When my little woman's away. For my little woman has ever a tear And a sigh when I am sad; And I have a thousand smiles for her When my little woman is glad. But my little woman is strong and brave, For all of her tears and sighs, Her stanch little heart knows how to behave Whenever the storms arise. My little woman, of you I sing With a fervor all divine, -- For I know the clasp of the hands that cling So closely here in mine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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