Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WHEN MAIMIE MARRIED, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When maimie married charley Last Line: When maimie married -- charley brown! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Beauty; Love; Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
WHEN Maimie married Charley Brown, Joy took possession of the town; The young folks swarmed in happy throngs -- They rang the bells -- they caroled songs -- They carpeted the steps that led Into the church where they were wed; And up and down the altar-stair They scattered roses everywhere; When, in her orange-blossom crown, Queen Maimie married Charley Brown. So beautiful she was, it seemed Men, looking on her, dreamed they dreamed; And he, the holy man who took Her hand in his, so thrilled and shook, The gargoyles round the ceiling's rim Looked down and leered and grinned at him, Until he half forgot his part Of sanctity, and felt his heart Beat worldward through his sacred gown -- When Maimie married Charley Brown. The bridesmaids kissed her, left and right -- Fond mothers hugged her with delight -- Young men of twenty-seven were seen To blush like lads of seventeen, The while they held her hand to quote Such sentiments as poets wrote. -- Yea, all the heads that Homage bends Were bowed to her. -- But O my friends, My hopes went up -- my heart went down -- When Maimie married -- Charley Brown! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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